Choosing the correct image file types might seem like a trivial determination.

But human beings are visual creatures, and images are an integral office of the online experience.

Virtually pages and manufactures apply screenshots and images to enrich the text content. In fact, only effectually 8% of websites don't include whatever visual content.

Unfortunately, many website owners still don't understand which image file types to choose for different utilise cases. The result? They finish up slowing down their site loading speed because their images aren't the best format available, nor are optimized.

In this article, nosotros'll encompass all the nearly important image file extensions and when you should utilise them to provide the best possible user feel to your visitors.

What Are the Different Paradigm File Types?

Image file types and formats are divided into two main unlike categories: raster image files and vector epitome files.

Let's take a closer expect at each category.

Raster Image File Formats

The most mutual paradigm formats for the web (JPEG, GIF, and PNG) are all under the raster category.

Raster prototype file types brandish static images where every pixel has a defined color, position, and proportion based on their resolution (for example 1280×720).

Since they're static, you cannot efficiently resize the images, the original blueprint and pixels will simply get stretched to fill the extra space. This ends upwardly creating a blurry, pixelated, or otherwise distorted image.

Image file types: raster image jpg
Raster Image – JPEG example

The vast bulk of the photographs or images y'all run across on the internet use a raster prototype format.

Vector Image File Formats

SVG, EPS, AI, and PDF are examples of vector image file types.

Dissimilar the static raster image file formats, where each design shape and color is tied to a pixel, these formats are more flexible.

Vector graphics instead use a arrangement of lines and curves on a cartesian plane, scaled in comparing to the total area, not any single pixel.

This means you can endlessly enlarge the original image resolution without any loss in quality or distortion.

Image file types: vector image
Vector Paradigm Format Magnification (Paradigm source: Wikipedia.com)

As you can see, the difference betwixt quality when magnified 7x is completely incomparable.

Since the SVG calculates the positions based on a pct of the total area, and not pixels, in that location's no pixelation at all.

Only viii% of websites include no visual content... but for the other 92%, displaying images with the correct file blazon is essential. 🖼 Find the 15 best options in this guide👇 Click to Tweet

fifteen Most Pop Image File Types

Below, we cover every major graphic file format, from raster spider web images, to vectors, to paradigm editing software files.

Nosotros do a deep-dive and cover the pros and cons, browser and OS support, and platonic utilise cases for each format.

1.JPEG (And JPG) — Joint Photographic Experts Group

tiger jpg
Tiger Image JPEG Format

JPEG (or JPG) is a raster image file format with lossy compression that makes it suitable for sharing images. JPEGs are "lossy" meaning they reduce file size, but besides the quality of the images when you use the format.

JPEG is however one of the nearly used image file types that you lot'll see on the internet because of its pinch and virtually universal browser/OS back up.

Most social media platforms (like Facebook and Instagram) automatically turn uploaded image files into JPEGs. They also use unique social media image sizes to control the resolution of your photos.

Advantages and Disadvantages

  • Universal browser and Bone back up.
  • Adequately low file size.
  • Lossy image compression might pb to poor text readability.

Browser and Bone Support

  • Supported since version i.0 of all major browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.)
  • Supported past default by all image viewers and editors of all major operating systems.

Use Cases

  • Practiced choice for blog and commodity images, like interviewee headshots, product images, and more.
  • Do not use JPEG for infographics with a lot of pocket-size text or tutorial screenshots where the text is key.

2. PNG — Portable Network Graphics

Image file types: kinsta resource center png image
Kinsta's resource center .png image file

PNG is a raster graphics format that supports lossless compression, maintaining particular and dissimilarity between colors.

In item, PNG offers much better text readability than JPEG.

This makes PNG a more popular selection for infographics, banners, screenshots, and other graphics that include both images and text.

Advantages and Disadvantages

  • College quality (lossless) images and clearly visible text.
  • Larger file sizes tin tiresome down your website if overused (especially high-resolution images).

Browser and Os Support

  • Supported by all major browsers (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Internet Explorer, Opera, Safari).
  • Supported by all major operating systems and their standard image editors.

Use Cases

  • Good choice for infographics, banners, web log graphics, screenshots, coupons, and other visuals that include text.
  • Do not apply for loftier-resolution photos, as it will create big files of up to several megabytes.

3. GIF — Graphics Interchange Format

Image file types: turtle dancing gif
Example of a gif paradigm

The GIF is another image file type falling within the raster format. Information technology uses lossless compression but "constrains" the epitome to eight $.25 per pixel and a limited palette of 256 colors.

The GIF format is well-nigh famous (and virtually used) for blithe images considering its 8-flake limitation keeps file sizes of animations pocket-size and internet-friendly.

Advantages and Disadvantages

  • Low file size.
  • Blitheness support.
  • viii-flake limitation leads to limited image quality.

Browser and Os Back up

  • Supported by all major browsers (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Net Explorer, Opera, Safari).
  • Supported by all major operating systems and their standard image editors.

Use Cases

  • Use animated GIFs non just to "spice up content" but demonstrate how to complete tasks in tutorials and guides.
  • Do not use it if you need greater than 8-flake color images (JPEG supports upwardly to 24-bit).

4. WebP

Image file types: webp image compression
WebP epitome example

WebP is an image format developed specifically to provide amend lossless and lossy compression of images.

Switching from JPEG and PNG to WebP tin aid save server deejay space and significant bandwidth, with up to 35% smaller image files for identical quality.

Advantages and Disadvantages

  • Smaller files for the aforementioned or meliorate epitome quality.
  • Not supported by all browsers and image editors.

Browser and Os Support

  • Google Chrome (Version 17+ for desktop, 25+ for mobile), Firefox (65+), Border (18+), and Opera (eleven.0+), support WebP natively. Safari's planned version fourteen will support WebP.
  • The format is still not supported by near native Os image editors, but professional options like Photoshop supports WebP.

Utilise Cases

  • Supersede JPEG and PNG files to relieve bandwidth and speed up your site. If you're using WordPress as your preferred CMS software, here's how to use WebP images in WordPress and deliver other formats to legacy browsers.

5. TIFF

Image file types: tiff icon
TIFFC icon

One format that shouldn't be missing in this guide to image file types,  we accept TIFF.

TIFF, which is short for Tagged Prototype File Format, is a raster image format near commonly used for storing and editing images that volition be later used for impress.

While it does support lossy compression, it's typically used equally a lossless image format. Furthermore, nigh professional graphics applications that support TIFF (Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.) exercise non use compression. Thus, information technology'southward mutual for TIFF images to be big in file size.

Advantages and Disadvantages

  • High-quality files perfect for storage or print publishing.
  • Big file size due to typical apply with no pinch.
  • Limited browser support.

Browsers and Bone Support

  • No major browsers can render a TIFF file without add-ons or extensions.
  • Mainly bachelor as an consign format for professional image editing and publishing tools.

Use Cases

  • Storing and preparing images and graphics for publication.
  • Used by many scanners to preserve the quality of scanned documents or pictures.

half dozen. BMP — Bitmap

Image file types: bmp vs gif
Bitmap vs gif

Bitmap (BMP) is a more often than not outdated image file format that maps individual pixels with little to no pinch. That means BMP files tin easily become extremely large and are impractical to store or handle.

Advantages and Disadvantages

  • Giant file sizes without noticeable quality gains over formats like WebP, GIF, or PNG.

Browsers and Bone Support

  • Supported by all major browsers (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Net Explorer, Opera, Safari).
  • Native support in most default OS image editors, similar MS Pigment.

Employ Cases

  • In 2022, there are basically zilch legitimate employ cases for the BMP epitome format.

7.  HEIF — Loftier Efficiency Image File Format

Image file types: jpeg vs heif
JPEG vs HEIF format

HEIF, short for Loftier Efficiency Image File Format, is an prototype format adult by the team behind the MPEG video format to be a direct competitor to JPEG.

In theory, the pinch is almost twice as efficient as JPEG, leading to images of up to double quality with identical file sizes.

Information technology'due south a raster image format, based on pixel mapping, meaning y'all cannot scale up the images without losing quality.

Advantages and Disadvantages

  • Great quality to file size ratio.
  • No browser and limited OS support.

Browsers and OS Support

  • Non supported past any major browsers.
  • Native support in macOS Sierra and iOS xi and later, but non in their corresponding Safari versions.

Employ Cases

  • Used by some newer phones and devices to store photos in higher quality than JPEG files.

8. SVG — Scalable Vector Graphics

Image file types: SVG logo
SVG logo

The Scalable Vector Graphics file format, commonly referred to equally SVG, was developed by W3C as a markup language to render two-dimensional images correct within the browser.

It doesn't rely on pixels like a raster format, but rather uses XML text to outline shapes and lines in a similar way to how mathematical equations create graphs.

This ways you tin scale up SVG images infinitely without whatever loss of quality.

Advantages and Disadvantages

  • Pocket-sized file sizes and loss-free scaling for simple illustrations, shapes, and text.
  • Not an ideal format for images or complex drawings.

Browsers and OS Back up

  • Supported by all major browsers (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Internet Explorer, Opera, Safari).
  • Default image editors tend not to support SVG (equally it's not suitable for photographs), but most illustration software support SVG exports.

Apply Cases

  • SVG is the ideal format for logos, icons, simple illustrations, and anything else you lot want to be freely scalable with your responsive design. If you're using WordPress, make certain to cheque out how to enable WordPress SVG support for your website.

nine. EPS — Encapsulated Postscript

EPS icon
EPS icon

In essence, an EPS (Encapsulated PostScript) file is a vector image file used for storing illustrations in Adobe Illustrator and other illustration software like CorelDraw.

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Similar SVG files, EPS is actually a text-based document that outlines shapes and lines with code, rather than mapping pixels and colors. Equally a result, EPS files also support lossless scaling.

Advantages and Disadvantages

  • Lossless scaling.
  • Printer support for documents and designs.

Browsers and Os Support

  • EPS isn't a standard web image file format and isn't supported by whatsoever major browsers.

Use Cases

  • It's mostly used for storing, saving, and printing illustrations when working with Adobe Illustrator or other software.

10. PDF — Portable Document Format

adobe pdf
PDF file case

You probably associate PDF with storing, saving, and reading mostly-text based documents. That's perfectly understandable — document is right at that place in the proper noun after all.

Simply PDF files are actually based on the aforementioned PostScript linguistic communication that powers EPS vector image files and can exist used to save images and illustrations as well.

It's the prototype format of choice for storing illustrations, magazine covers, and more than for later press. It's also the preferred choice for our Kinsta ebooks.

Advantages and Disadvantages

  • Indexable and searchable text makes information technology perfect for in-depth infographics or reports.
  • Can include links, CTA buttons, and other interactive elements.
  • Lossless scalability.
  • Cannot be included in web content, must be loaded and read as a split up file.

Browsers and Os Support

  • Supported by all major browsers, but you are forced to open up the PDF as a separate file. (You lot cannot employ PDF files to display images throughout your HTML content.)
  • Supported as a format by most standard document editors (like MS Word or Google Docs), and illustration software (AI, Inkscape) but not past image editing software.

Use Cases

  • PDF is the all-time pick if you want to create an interactive visual written report or infographic that complements your content. Here'south a squeamish list of the best PDF viewer plugins for WordPress users.

xi. PSD — Photoshop Document

Image file types: psd logo
PSD logo

Every bit the name suggests, the PSD file format is an image format used for saving prototype documents and works in progress with Adobe Photoshop.

Information technology'south not a spider web-safe paradigm format, so it'south non supported past whatever browsers or standard prototype viewers or editors.

Advantages and Disadvantages

  • All filters, transparency, paths, and edits are fully customizable and reversible.
  • Lossless image quality.
  • Big file sizes.

Use Cases

  • Saving and storing Photoshop projects before and subsequently they're completed.

12. AI — Adobe Illustrator Artwork

adobe illustrator file icon
Adobe Illustrator file icon

AI is another paradigm format specifically adult by Adobe to not merely save the paradigm, only likewise the project state.

Like PSD, information technology'south not meant for utilise on the web and isn't supported past any browsers, nor most default image viewers.

Different PSD files, you can freely scale AI files without whatsoever loss in quality.

Advantages and Disadvantages

  • All strokes, lines, shapes, filters, are customizable and reversible.
  • Scale upward or downwardly illustration sizes freely.
  • Large file sizes.

Use Cases

  • Saving and storing Adobe Illustrator projects before and after they're completed.

13. XCF — eXperimental Computing Facility

xcf icon
XCF icon

XCF, which stands for eXperimental Computing Facility, is an image file type native to the open source image editor GIMP. Information technology'southward the equivalent of PSD files and saves paths, transparency, filters, and more.

One time again, this is a native file type for storing projects and it's non supported by any browsers or default image viewers.

Advantages and Disadvantages

  • All paths, filters, and shapes are customizable and reversible.
  • Lossless image quality.
  • Large file sizes.

Use Cases

  • Saving and storing GIMP projects before and later on they're completed.

fourteen.  INDD — Adobe InDesign Document

adobe indesign icon
Adobe InDesign icon

The INDD is a native file blazon for Adobe InDesign users where yous can relieve project files including page content, styles, swatches, and more.

Although sometimes referred to equally an epitome file format, it tends to link to visual elements across text.

It isn't supported by any browsers or default prototype viewers, as information technology'due south non a web-safe format.

Advantages and Disadvantages

  • Store large, multi-folio design projects with customizable elements.

Utilise Cases

  • It's mainly used by graphic designers and product artists for designing and collaborating on posters, flyers, magazines, pamphlets, and more.

xv. Raw Image File Types

Raw image formats are the file types a digital camera uses to shop full-quality images for after mail-product and editing.

Major raw prototype file types past camera maker:

  • Kodak: CR, K25, KDC
  • Canon: CRW CR2 CR3
  • Epson: ERF
  • Nikon: NEF NRW
  • Olympus: ORF
  • Pentax: PEF
  • Panasonic: RW2
  • Sony: ARW, SRF, SR2

Rather than the 256 shades per color aqueduct (8 fleck) available in a JPEG file, RAW files offer upwards to xvi,384 shades per color channel (14 fleck) in a unmarried flick. That gives you more flexibility when tweaking colors and contrast in postal service-processing.

Raw images aren't meant for the spider web or sharing and aren't supported past any major browser or image viewer.

Advantages and Disadvantages

  • College quality pictures with more variability in colors.
  • Behemothic epitome files (a raw file can easily be up to 20 to twoscore megabytes).

Utilize Cases

  • Saving photos in the highest possible quality for mail-processing and editing.

Paradigm File Types FAQs

What Are the 3 Common File Types of an Epitome File?

Based on information related to web usage, the three most mutual paradigm file types are PNG, JPEG, and SVG.

image file types statistics
Usage statistics of image file formats (Image source: w3techs.com)

Let'southward examine what makes them and so widespread below.

1. PNG: Screenshots, Banners, Infographics, Pictures

Since PNG equally a format lends itself amend to text inside the paradigm, it's more oftentimes used for screenshots, banners (depending on the banner advert size), and more than.

Since it uses lossless compression, information technology's likewise used past designers and photographers to showcase high-quality pictures on their portfolio websites for example.

These two factors, along with its universal browser and OS support, make it the most popular image file type on the web. PNGs are present on a whopping 77% of websites.

2. JPEG: Pictures

The lossy compression means that JPEG is a better selection to use to showcase pictures throughout your content. The loss in quality is barely visible to the average internet user, and you lot tin salvage considerable disk infinite and bandwidth.

That'due south why it's the second most popular format on the net, used by near 72% of websites. About sites use both PNGs and JPEGs for different purposes.

Every bit a reminder: At that place's no departure between JPG vs JPEG, they're two dissimilar acronyms and file extensions for the same format.

iii. SVG: Logos, Icons, and Illustrations

SVG files are scalable vector files that are perfect for icons, logos, graphs, and simple illustrations. The epitome can even be inserted directly into the page as CSS code.

That's why SVGs come in 3rd, used past 27% of websites.

Honorable Mention: Animated GIF Images

While rarely the format of selection for static images, GIF has made a comeback as the #1 choice for sharing animations.

comeback gif
Blithe gif case

As a outcome, around 22% of websites utilise GIFs on their pages, fifty-fifty though they likely use PNGs and JPEGs as their standard formats likewise.

Which Image Format Is the Highest Quality?

Raw paradigm formats are the highest quality but take unreasonably large file sizes of up to hundreds of megabytes.

For web images, the WebP file format offers 25-35% smaller file sizes than JPEG for the same quality photos, pregnant you can upload college quality images for the same disk space and speed up your site.

HEIF is another JPEG alternative with more efficient pinch but isn't currently supported past whatsoever major browsers.

PNG files offer lossless compression, but that means the file sizes volition be exceedingly large and slow to load. A single PNG file can often be hundreds of KB or fifty-fifty 1MB+. However, if you take advantage of some tactics like lazy loading (bachelor in core since WordPress 5.v) and a CDN, you could still take a fast site.

Which File Formats Support Transparency?

The nearly common prototype file types for the web that support transparency are PNG, WebP, GIF, and fifty-fifty SVG.

Well-nigh native projection image file types like PSD, XCF, and AI also support transparency.

On the other hand, the popular JPEG image format does nonsupport transparency.

Is PNG Better than JPEG?

The main difference between PNG and JPEG is that PNG is a lossless image format, while JPEG is a lossy i. This basically ways that PNG uses compression techniques without sacrificing the original quality or detail of the paradigm.

For text in images, tutorial screenshots, and when you want signs or other fine elements to be 100% visible in a photo, PNG is the right format.

Image file types: PNG vs JPEG
PNG vs JPEG comic strip (Paradigm source: lbrandy.com)

Every bit you can run across from this funny picture above, PNG, which is depicted on the left, is much better at clearly displaying text and simple shapes when compared to JPEG, the one on the right.

Does this mean JPEG is a bad image file type? Not at all!

For regular blog posts or header images, JPEG offers more than than good plenty quality with significantly lower file size. Yous can oftentimes salvage upwards to 50% or more infinite while struggling to spot any difference in quality with the naked center.

Go along your website'southward visual content looking clear with this guide to the best prototype file types ✨ Click to Tweet

Summary

There'due south no shortage of images you could legitimately utilize for your projects. Hopefully, this article has helped you understand which image file types and formats to use in which context for the best results.

Raster formats are best used for images and pictures, while vectors are a great substitute for logos, icons, and digital graphics.

Using the correct image file types for the correct task can not just help improve your page loading speeds but also lower bandwidth and server loads. As a subsequent positive effect, your overall user experience will also ameliorate big time. Not bad, uh?


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