JPGPNGWebPAVIF
JPG vs PNG vs WebP vs AVIF: Which Is Smallest and When to Use Each?
Can't decide on an image format? Compare JPG, PNG, WebP, and AVIF file sizes with real numbers, plus when to use each for web and archives.
·5 min read
These four formats look similar, but the engines inside are very different. We tested one 3000x2000 (6MP) photo at visually equivalent quality:
| Format | Size | Transparency | Browser Support |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPG (q90) | ~780 KB | No | 100% since 1992 |
| PNG | ~4.2 MB | Yes | 100% |
| WebP (q85) | ~520 KB | Yes | 98% (all modern) |
| AVIF (q70) | ~310 KB | Yes | 92% (Chrome/Firefox/Safari 16.4+) |
When to Use What?
- JPG: universal photos that need to open anywhere — including printers and older phones.
- PNG: logos, screenshots, infographics that need perfect pixel sharpness and transparency.
- WebP: default for modern websites — 25-35% smaller than JPG at the same quality.
- AVIF: most efficient, saves 50% bandwidth — ideal for landing pages chasing Core Web Vitals.
With FORMATTO you can A/B test yourself: upload one PNG, convert it to the other three formats, compare sizes, and zoom 200% to spot artifacts. All on-device, no upload.
Try it directly in FORMATTO
Everything in this article can be done 100% on your device — no upload, no signup.