Choosing the right image format is crucial for web performance. The "Big Three" traditional formats each serve specific purposes.
JPEG (JPG)
Developed by the Joint Photographic Experts Group, JPEG uses lossy compression. It is perfect for complex photographs where minor detail loss is unnoticeable. It does not support transparency.
PNG
The Portable Network Graphics format uses lossless compression and supports transparency. It is ideal for logos, icons, and illustrations with sharp contrasts.
GIF
Graphics Interchange Format supports animation but is limited to 256 colors. It is largely outdated for static images but remains popular for short looping animations.
If you find yourself with the wrong format, you can use tools like our PNG to JPG Converter to optimize your assets for the web.