Guide
JPEG, PNG, WebP or AVIF? Pick by where the image is going.
There is no single “best” image format. Photos, transparency, browser delivery, and compatibility pull in different directions.
Newer does not automatically mean better
AVIF can be impressively small, PNG handles transparency cleanly, JPEG is still widely accepted, and WebP is a practical web option. The right choice depends on the job.
Photos and screenshots want different things
Photos usually tolerate lossy compression well. UI screenshots and logos often need crisp edges or transparency, which can push you toward PNG or lossless WebP.
Check the destination before converting everything
A CMS, print vendor, marketplace, or internal system may simply reject AVIF or WebP. One test file can save a batch of rework.
Converting formats cannot restore lost detail
Turning a heavily compressed JPEG into PNG does not bring the original detail back. The container changes; the missing information does not magically return.
When in doubt, test one real image
Take one representative image and export two candidates. Compare file size, transparency, edge quality, and whether the destination accepts the format.
That real-world test is usually more useful than trying to memorize a universal ranking of formats.