Image Format Converter
Convert images between JPG, PNG, WebP, GIF, and BMP formats. Fast and secure conversion in your browser.
Understanding Image Formats: When to Use Each One
Choosing the right image format can significantly impact file size, quality, and compatibility. Our free online image format converter makes it easy to switch between formats based on your needs.
Image Format Comparison
JPG (JPEG)
Best for: Photographs, complex images with many colors
Compression: Lossy (smaller files, some quality loss)
Transparency: No support
Animation: No support
Use case: Website photos, digital photography, social media images
PNG
Best for: Graphics, logos, text, images needing transparency
Compression: Lossless (maintains quality, larger files)
Transparency: Full support
Animation: No support (use APNG)
Use case: Logos, icons, graphics with text, images requiring transparency
WebP
Best for: Modern web applications, all image types
Compression: Both lossy and lossless
Transparency: Full support
Animation: Yes
Use case: Modern websites, web applications (30% smaller than JPG/PNG)
GIF
Best for: Simple animations, basic graphics
Compression: Lossless (limited colors)
Transparency: Yes (binary - on/off)
Animation: Yes
Use case: Simple animations, memes, basic graphics (limited to 256 colors)
When to Convert Between Formats
- JPG to PNG: When you need to add transparency or edit without quality loss
- PNG to JPG: To reduce file size for photos that don't need transparency
- Any to WebP: For modern web use to achieve best compression
- PNG to WebP: Maintain quality while significantly reducing file size
- JPG to WebP: Achieve even better compression than JPG
- GIF to PNG: Improve quality for static images (single frame)
Quality Settings Guide
90-100%: Highest quality, minimal compression. Use for print, professional photography, or when quality is paramount.
80-89%: Excellent quality with good compression. Recommended for most web use - imperceptible quality loss for most viewers.
70-79%: Good quality, better compression. Suitable for web thumbnails and social media.
Below 70%: Noticeable quality loss. Use only when file size is critical.
Browser Support for WebP
WebP is supported by all modern browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari (iOS 14+). It offers superior compression compared to JPG and PNG while maintaining excellent quality. For maximum compatibility with older browsers, consider providing fallback images in JPG or PNG format.
Best Practices for Format Conversion
- Always keep original files as backups before converting
- Use lossless formats (PNG) when you need to edit images multiple times
- Convert to WebP for web use when possible (best compression)
- Use PNG for logos and graphics with text for crisp edges
- Use JPG for photographs to balance quality and file size
- Consider your target audience's browser compatibility
- Test converted images to ensure quality meets your standards
File Size Optimization Tips
- Resize images before converting to reduce dimensions
- Use appropriate quality settings (80-90% is usually sufficient)
- Convert PNG to JPG for photos that don't need transparency
- Use WebP format for modern web applications
- Remove metadata from images before conversion