Common image formats

🧱 Raster Image Formats (Pixel-based)

These are the most common for photos, screenshots, and web images.

Format	Typical Extension	Best For	Key Traits
JPEG / JFIF	.jpg, .jpeg, .jfif	Photos, web images	Lossy compression → small size, slight quality loss
PNG	.png	Web graphics, transparent images	Lossless compression, supports transparency (alpha channel)
WEBP	.webp	Modern web use	Smaller than JPEG/PNG, supports transparency and animation; very common on websites today
HEIC / HEIF	.heic, .heif	iPhone photos	High efficiency (better quality at smaller size), supports depth and burst data
AVIF	.avif	Next-gen web & photography	Better compression and quality than WEBP; gaining adoption fast
GIF	.gif	Simple animations, memes	Limited color palette (256 colors), supports animation
BMP	.bmp	Windows bitmaps (legacy)	Uncompressed, very large file size
TIFF / TIF	.tiff, .tif	Printing, scanning, photography	High-quality, supports layers, lossless, large files
RAW formats	.cr2, .nef, .arw, etc.	DSLR / Mirrorless cameras	Unprocessed image data; huge files, best for editing

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🧩 Vector Image Formats (Shape-based)

Used for logos, icons, and scalable designs.

Format	Extension	Best For	Key Traits
SVG	.svg	Web icons, graphics, illustrations	Scalable (no quality loss), editable with code or design tools
EPS	.eps	Printing, professional graphics	Legacy vector format for Adobe software
PDF (vector images)	.pdf	Documents and printable graphics	Can embed text, vector art, and images

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🕹️ Special / Modern Use

Format	Extension	Use
ICO	.ico	Windows icons
WEBM	.webm	Animated or video-like web content (also used in short animations)
PSD	.psd	Adobe Photoshop layered images
EXR	.exr	Film / VFX industry (high dynamic range)

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🚀 Most Common on the Web (2025)

• WEBP → dominant (Google Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari support it)
• JPEG → still very widespread
• PNG → for transparency and UI icons
• AVIF → fast-growing, especially on modern browsers and phones