Image Format Converter

Why do image file formats matter?

Choosing the right image format is crucial! It affects file size (loading speed), image quality (sharpness, color depth), compatibility with software, and features like transparency or animation. Whether for web use, printing, or storage, the format impacts performance and appearance.

Vector vs. Raster Images

Vector files (like SVG, AI) use mathematical paths. They scale infinitely without losing quality, perfect for logos and illustrations that need resizing. Raster files (like JPG, PNG, GIF) are made of pixels. Their quality depends on resolution (PPI/DPI). Scaling them up too much can cause blurriness (pixelation). Most photos are raster images. This tool primarily handles raster formats.

Common Image Formats Explained

• JPEG / JPG (Joint Photographic Experts Group): Best for photos and complex images on the web. Uses "lossy" compression (small file size, but some quality loss). Doesn't support transparency.
• PNG (Portable Network Graphics): Excellent for web graphics needing transparency (logos, icons). Uses "lossless" compression (no quality loss, larger files than JPG). Supports millions of colors.
• GIF (Graphics Interchange Format): Known for simple animations. Limited to 256 colors and supports transparency. Good for basic logos or short, looping animations. Lossless compression.
• WEBP: Developed by Google for the web. Offers both lossy and lossless compression, often achieving smaller file sizes than JPG or PNG at similar quality. Supports transparency and animation. Excellent modern choice for web use.
• BMP (Bitmap): Uncompressed raster format. High quality but very large file sizes. Good for detailed image storage but not ideal for web or sharing.
• TIFF / TIF (Tagged Image File Format): High-quality, lossless format often used in professional printing and scanning. Can be very large and complex (layers, multiple pages). Not typically used on the web.
• HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container): Apple's default format on newer iPhones. Offers good compression (smaller files than JPG for similar quality). Compatibility can still be an issue outside the Apple ecosystem.
• PSD (Photoshop Document): Adobe Photoshop's native format. Supports layers, effects, and other editing features. Not viewable in standard browsers; needs conversion for web/sharing.
• RAW: Unprocessed image data directly from a digital camera's sensor. Contains maximum detail but requires special software to view and edit. Very large files.

Which Format Should You Use?

• Website Photos: Use **JPEG** or **WEBP** (for better compression).
• Website Logos/Graphics (with transparency): Use **PNG** or **WEBP**.
• Simple Web Animations: Use **GIF** (or animated WEBP/PNG if supported).
• High-Quality Printing: Use **TIFF** or high-resolution **JPEG/PNG**.
• Sharing Multiple Images: Consider converting to **PDF**.