Comparison of Image Formats

Graphics Formats for the Web

PropertyGIF
Graphics Interchange Format		JPEG
Joint Photographic Experts Group		PNG
Portable Network Graphic		SVG
Scalable Vector Graphics		WebP
Color System8 bit indexed (256 colors)RGB (24 bit; millions of colors)
  • 8 bit indexed (256 colors)
  • RGB (24 bit; millions of colors)
RGBRGB
CompressionLossless Compression (LZW; horizontal repeating units)"Lossy" Compression
(compression optimized for gradual color changes)		Lossless CompressionLossless CompressionLossless and Lossy
Other Features
  • .gif file extension
  • Transparency
  • Animation
  • .jpg and .jpeg file extensions
  • No Transparency
  • No Animation
  • .png file extension
  • Transparency
  • .svg file extension
  • Vector-based
  • Transparency
  • XML format
  • 25% smaller than equivalent PNGs and JPEGs.
  • Supports transparency
Typical Uses
  • Illustrations (logos, icons)
  • Animated banners and icons
  • Images with small dimension
  • Photographs
  • Any
  • Illustrations
    Graphs, Charts, Maps - 'plain' and 'interactive'
  • Any
PropertyGIF
Graphics Interchange Format		JPEG
Joint Photographic Experts Group		PNG
Portable Network Graphic		SVG
Scalable Vector Graphics		WebP
Photograph
250 × 188 px		example
29.3 kb		example
16.8 kb		example
25.8 kb (indexed, 8-bit)		example
81.9 kb (RGB, 24-bit)		N/Aexample
9.6 kb
Illustration
148 × 179 px		example
1.47 kb		example
6.12 kb		example
1.02 kb (indexed, 8-bit)		example
1.89 kb (RGB, 24-bit)		example
0.575 kb (compressed, 1.7 kb uncompressed; RGB, 24-bit)		example
0.724 kb

Hot Air Balloon image is in the Public Domain and was obtained from PD Photo.
Public Domain Dedication

Illustration image from the original works of David Heitmeyer