PNG stands for Portable Network Graphics. It’s a lossless format, meaning it doesn’t throw away any image data — so photos and graphics look sharp and clean, even after multiple edits.
It also supports transparency, which JPEG doesn’t — making it ideal for web graphics, logos, and anything needing a clean cut-out or background.
Why Use PNG?
- No compression artifacts
- Supports transparent backgrounds
- Ideal for sharp edges, text, and line art
Drawbacks
- Larger file sizes compared to JPEG or AVIF
- Not ideal for high-resolution photo albums
- Doesn’t support animation (use GIF or APNG instead)
When to Use PNG
- Web graphics or overlays that need transparency
- Screenshots, illustrations, or anything with sharp lines
- Images you plan to edit repeatedly without quality loss
Tips
- Use PNG when quality matters more than file size
- Avoid converting high-res photos to PNG unless you need to preserve every detail
- Use WebP or AVIF for high-quality web photos with smaller sizes