Format Atlas

Guides

Choose a photo file format

For photographs, the best choice depends on whether you prioritize easy sharing, smaller web files, or production and editing requirements.

Which format should you choose?

Choose by the role each file plays in your workflow.

  • Everyday sharing and delivery → JPEG
  • Possible web size savings → WebP or AVIF
  • Printing or scanning workflow requirements → TIFF

Preservation and sharing

For photos sent to unknown recipients, JPEG is a practical starting point because playback support is easy to check.

Web delivery

WebP and AVIF are candidates for smaller delivery files when you can verify browser support and the encoding workflow.

Formats to consider

JPEG

Good for: Everyday sharing and delivery of photographs

Less suitable for: Transparency or repeated re-editing

WebP

Good for: Optimizing photos for web delivery

Less suitable for: Delivery without checking destination support

TIFF

Good for: Printing, scanning, and production workflows

Less suitable for: Lightweight web delivery

PNG

Good for: Assets combining photos with text or graphics

Less suitable for: Large-scale photo delivery with strict size limits

Before you export

  • Converting a JPEG to another format cannot restore information already lost.
  • Compare size and visual quality using actual encoding settings, not format names alone.

Related comparisons

JPEG vs PNGJPEG commonly uses lossy compression and suits many photographs, while PNG preserves pixel values losslessly and supports transparency. The choice depends on image content, editing needs, and the destination's requirements.JPEG vs WebPJPEG is widely supported for photographs, while WebP can use lossy or lossless compression and supports transparency. For web delivery, results depend on the source image, encoder settings, and target browsers.AVIF vs WebPAVIF and WebP both target web images and support lossy and lossless options and transparency. Compare quality, size, encoding speed, and support using the same images; serving more than one format may be appropriate.TIFF vs PNGTIFF is used in print, scanning, and production workflows with configurable compression and color settings. PNG is convenient for general graphics and transparent web images. Neither extension alone determines quality or size.

Guides

Checking settings and rendering before photo-editing handoffDistinguish original images, editing settings and rendered viewing copies; gather dependencies and verify results at the destination.Choose a web image formatDecide what kind of image you are serving and which browsers and tools must support it before choosing a web format.Choose a transparent image formatFor transparency, consider whether you need partial opacity, photographic detail, or scalable vector artwork, then check destination support.

File format basics

Lossless and lossy compressionRaster vs vector images

References and specifications