12 Image File Formats Explained: JPEG, PNG, SVG & More

12 Image File Formats Explained: JPEG, PNG, SVG & More

🕑 Article from : 10 06 2026 - Last update : 10 07 2026

Share :

The 12 Most Commonly Used Image Formats

As we saw previously, there are two types of images in computing: vector images and bitmap images (also known as raster images). Here, we will look at the different image formats that you may encounter within these two categories.

First Part: Bitmap Image Formats

1. JPEG

2. GIF

3. PNG

4. TIFF

5. HEIF

6. WebP

7. AVIF

8. PSD

Second Part: Vector Image Formats

9. SVG

10. EPS

11. PDF

12. AI

Part 1: Bitmap (Raster) Images

1 – JPEG: Joint Photographic Experts Group

This is the most widely used image file format. It is commonly used for photographs, for example. It allows images to be compressed in order to obtain smaller file sizes.

It is a universal format that is widely recognized by web browsers, smartphones, computers, and many other devices. It can be used both on the Internet and for printed documents.

However, compression involves some loss of quality and, since it is a raster (bitmap) image, enlarging it too much may result in visible quality loss, as we saw in the previous article.

The Joint Photographic Experts Group began working on this standard in 1978, and the official standard was released in 1992.

2 – GIF: Graphics Interchange Format

In 1987, CompuServe introduced this format with a lossless compression algorithm. It quickly became a very popular format on the Internet because it was lighter than most image formats available at the time. It also supports interlaced loading, displaying the image line by line as it downloads.

Transparency can be applied, making it easier to integrate into a web page. It also allows simple animations by combining multiple images into a single file. GIF animations quickly spread across the Internet, sometimes to excess.

However, the format suffers from several limitations, including a color palette restricted to 256 colors. As a result, it is not suitable for photographs or color gradients.

3 – PNG: Portable Network Graphics

PNG was developed during the 1990s as a free alternative to GIF. It is therefore particularly well suited to Internet use. It offers some of the advantages of JPEG, although files are generally larger because compression is lossless.

PNG supports lossless images, which explains why files can sometimes be larger than JPEG files. It can also produce better results than GIF for graphics, icons, and similar content while not being limited to 256 colors.

Transparency through an alpha channel is supported, although animations are not supported in the standard PNG specification.

4 – TIFF: Tagged Image File Format

Developed by Microsoft and Aldus in 1986, TIFF later became associated with Adobe when Adobe acquired Aldus.

This file format offers very high image quality and is often used in photography and printing. It supports transparency, layers, and lossless compression.

However, TIFF files are generally far too large for Internet use. They should therefore be avoided on websites. If your camera produces TIFF images, you should convert them to another format such as JPEG, PNG, or WebP before publishing them online.

5 – HEIF or HIF: High Efficiency Image File Format

Apple has largely popularized this format, although it is also used by other manufacturers and software applications.

It can store either a single image or a sequence of images. Software such as GIMP can also read and edit these files.

As with TIFF, this format should not be used directly on web pages. It is generally preferable to convert it to a more suitable format before publishing it online.

6 – WebP (Google)

First released in 2010, WebP is a modern image format introduced by Google with the goal of reducing the amount of data transferred on the Internet through more efficient image compression. Google also introduced WebM for video.

WebP is an open-source format and is now supported by all modern web browsers. Safari support arrived with version 14 in 2020. However, very old browsers may still have trouble displaying WebP images.

Like GIF, WebP supports both transparency and animated images.

7 – AVIF: AV1 Image File Format

Launched in 2019, AVIF is a modern image format derived from the AV1 video codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media.

Its main advantage is its ability to produce very small files while maintaining excellent image quality. In many cases, an AVIF file is smaller than a JPEG or WebP file while providing similar visual quality.

The format also supports transparency, HDR images, and a high color depth.

Its main drawback is that some older software applications do not yet fully support it. However, adoption is growing rapidly, and all major modern web browsers now support it.

8 – PSD: Photoshop Document

This is a file format you have probably encountered before. However, it is not a format intended for direct use.

PSD is a working format that can include layers and many other editing elements. Once your work is finished, you usually export the file to a usable format such as PNG or one of the other formats mentioned above.

PSD is a proprietary format owned by Adobe for use with Photoshop. However, it can also be opened and edited by other software applications such as GIMP.

Part 2: Vector Images

9 – SVG: Scalable Vector Graphics

SVG is probably the most widely used vector format on the Internet. Developed by the W3C from 1999 onward, it is based on XML.

Unlike bitmap formats, it does not store pixels but rather geometric shapes such as lines, curves, circles, and polygons.

SVG files can be enlarged or reduced to any size without losing quality. They are particularly suitable for logos, icons, maps, and diagrams.

SVG is also one of the few vector formats directly supported by web browsers.

10 – EPS: Encapsulated PostScript

EPS is a historical vector format that has been widely used in printing and desktop publishing.

For many years, it was the standard format for exchanging logos and illustrations between graphic designers and printers.

Even today, many printing companies still accept EPS files, although PDF is gradually replacing it in many situations.

11 – PDF: Portable Document Format

Created by Adobe in 1993, PDF has become a worldwide standard for document exchange.

Contrary to popular belief, a PDF file is not purely vector-based. It can contain text, bitmap images, and vector graphics within the same document.

PDF is particularly well suited for brochures, catalogs, forms, manuals, and documents intended for printing.

12 – AI: Adobe Illustrator Artwork

AI is the native file format of Adobe Illustrator.

It stores all the working information of a document, including vector objects, layers, colors, effects, and text.

This format is mainly used by graphic designers during the creation phase. Once the work is complete, it is generally exported to a more universal format such as PDF, SVG, PNG, or JPEG.

Which Image Format Should You Choose?

There is no universal image format capable of meeting every need.

For photographs, JPEG, WebP, and AVIF are generally the most suitable formats. For logos, icons, and technical illustrations, vector formats such as SVG, EPS, and AI often provide better results.

The choice mainly depends on the intended use: Internet publishing, printing, archiving, graphic design work, or document exchange.

Understanding the characteristics of each format will help you choose the most appropriate solution while achieving better quality and compatibility.

Image formats : Summary Table