PNG vs WebP — When to Use Each

Picking the right image format can save seconds of load time. Here’s a quick, practical guide to choose between PNG and WebP.

Quick rules

• Use WebP for photos and most graphics — smaller files at similar quality.
• Use PNG for sharp graphics that need lossless quality or transparency with perfect edges.
• For logos/icons, try lossless WebP or optimized PNG and compare file sizes.

When to use PNG

• Pixel-perfect UI assets and line art with text
• Transparency with crisp edges
• When lossless fidelity is required

When to use WebP

• Photos and complex gradients
• Most illustrations and graphics where minor compression is acceptable
• When you need the smallest file at good quality

Workflow (Step-by-Step)

1. Open the Image Resizer & Compressor: /image-compressor
   

2. Drop your image(s).
   

3. Choose output format: try WebP (lossy at ~80% for photos, lossless for crisp graphics).
   

4. If needed, resize to display dimensions (e.g., 1200px width).
   

5. Process and compare outputs — pick the smallest file that still looks great.
   

Short clip (10–30s):

Tips

• Text-heavy graphics: prefer PNG or lossless WebP.
• Photos: start at 80% quality for WebP; adjust after visual checks.
• Accessibility: avoid overly compressed images that harm readability.

Related:

• Resize Multiple Images Online: /posts/resize-multiple-images-online
• Compress Images for Web (with Before/After): /posts/compress-images-before-after