JPEG, PNG, HEIC and WebP: Which Photo Format Should You Use?
A plain-English guide to common image formats, what each is good for, and how to avoid losing quality when editing and sharing.
Photos come in different file formats, and each has strengths and weaknesses. Knowing the basics helps you avoid blurry images, oversized files and photos that won't open.
JPEG (or JPG)
JPEG is the most common photo format. It uses lossy compression, meaning it makes files smaller by throwing away some detail the eye is unlikely to notice.
- Good for: photographs, sharing, email, web pages.
- Watch out for: each time you edit and re-save a JPEG, you lose a bit more quality. Repeated saving can create visible blockiness and colour smudging.
- Doesn't support transparency.
PNG
PNG uses lossless compression: it keeps every pixel exactly as it was.
- Good for: graphics, logos, screenshots, text and images with transparent backgrounds.
- Files are larger than JPEGs for photographs.
- Not usually the best choice for large photos to be shared.
HEIC (or HEIF)
HEIC is the default photo format on many recent iPhones and some other phones. It stores photos in a smaller file than JPEG at similar quality.
- Good for: saving storage on your phone.
- Watch out for: not every app, website or older computer supports it. When sharing, phones often convert to JPEG automatically, but it's worth checking.
WebP
WebP is a modern format designed for the web, offering smaller file sizes than JPEG or PNG at similar quality, with support for transparency. Most modern browsers and apps support it.
RAW
Some cameras and phones can save RAW files, which contain unprocessed sensor data. They give the most editing flexibility but produce very large files and need an editor that supports them.
GIF
GIF supports simple animation and a limited number of colours. It is not suitable for photographs.
Choosing a format
| Use | Format |
|---|---|
| Sharing photos | JPEG |
| Saving storage on phone | HEIC |
| Logos, screenshots, transparency | PNG |
| Web pages | WebP or JPEG |
| Maximum editing quality | RAW |
Avoid quality loss
- Keep the original. Always work on a copy.
- Edit once, export once. Avoid repeatedly saving JPEGs.
- Export at high quality if you plan to edit again.
- Don't screenshot a photo to share it. It reduces quality.
Quality settings
When exporting a JPEG, a quality setting of about 80 to 90 percent gives an excellent balance of size and appearance. Very low settings produce visible artefacts.
Sending photos
Messaging apps often compress photos heavily. If quality matters, send by email, cloud link or as a file rather than a chat image.
Common mistakes
- Saving a logo as JPEG, which creates fuzzy edges.
- Sending HEIC to someone whose device can't open it.
- Re-saving the same JPEG many times.
Practice
Take one photo and export it as a JPEG at high and low quality. Zoom in and compare the results.
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