A versatile lossless image format with transparency support, ideal for graphics and web use
PNG (Portable Network Graphics) was created in the mid-1990s as an improved, non-patented replacement for GIF. It quickly gained popularity due to its lossless compression and support for transparency, making it ideal for graphics, logos, and images with sharp edges or text.
Unlike JPG, which uses lossy compression, PNG uses lossless compression, meaning no image data is lost during the compression process. This preserves image quality but typically results in larger file sizes than JPG for photographic content.
PNG was designed specifically for transferring images on the internet, not for professional-quality print graphics or photography, and has become one of the most widely used image formats on the web, especially for graphics that require transparency.
PNG uses a two-stage compression process: first, filtering methods are applied to the image data to improve compressibility, then the filtered data is compressed using the Deflate algorithm (the same one used in ZIP files). PNG supports different bit depths, color types, and transparency options, making it highly versatile for various graphic needs.
PNG is ideal for web graphics, logos, icons, and interface elements, especially when transparency is needed. The lossless compression ensures that text and lines remain sharp and crisp, even on high-resolution displays.
PNG is the preferred format for screenshots because it preserves text readability and sharp edges without compression artifacts. Many screenshot applications use PNG as their default format.
For digital artwork with solid colors, sharp transitions, and transparency, PNG provides high quality without the compression artifacts that would occur with lossy formats.
PNG is often used as an intermediate format during image editing when working with transparency or when avoiding compression artifacts is important before final export.
The lossless nature of PNG makes it perfect for technical images where precision is important, such as diagrams, flowcharts, and graphs with text labels.
PNG files are universally supported across image viewing and editing software:
PNG has been widely supported by all modern web browsers for many years, making it one of the most reliable image formats for web use. It's particularly valued for its transparency capabilities in web design.
When used on the web, consider the following:
| Feature | PNG | JPG | GIF | WebP | SVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compression | Lossless | Lossy | Lossless | Lossy & Lossless | Vector (text-based) |
| Transparency | Full alpha channel | None | Binary (on/off) | Full alpha channel | Full alpha channel |
| Animation | No (except APNG) | No | Yes | Yes | Yes (with CSS/JS) |
| Color Depth | Up to 48-bit | 24-bit | 8-bit (256 colors) | Up to 32-bit | Unlimited |
| File Size (Graphics) | |||||
| File Size (Photos) |
PNG excels for graphics with transparency and when image quality must be preserved. JPG is better for photographs where some quality loss is acceptable in exchange for smaller file sizes. WebP offers advantages over both but has more limited legacy browser support. SVG is ideal for vector graphics that need to scale to any size.
Converting from JPG to PNG will preserve the current quality but won't restore any details already lost to JPG compression. The PNG will be larger in file size without quality improvement.
Converting from GIF to PNG often results in better quality and smaller file sizes for complex images. However, animation will be lost in regular PNG (preserved only in APNG).
When capturing screenshots, saving directly as PNG will provide the best quality for text and interface elements. Many screenshot tools default to PNG for this reason.
When converting to JPG, be aware that transparency will be lost (typically replaced with a white background) and some image quality may be sacrificed. This is acceptable for photographs but not ideal for graphics with text or sharp edges.
Converting to WebP can reduce file size while maintaining quality and transparency. This is an excellent option for web use, though you may want to provide PNG fallbacks for older browsers.
PNG to SVG conversion requires tracing or vectorization and is only suitable for simple graphics with distinct shapes and colors. The result will need manual cleanup for best results.