What is PNG?
A plain-English definition, and the tools that work with it.
PNG (Portable Network Graphics) is a lossless image format that supports transparency. Because it never degrades on save and keeps sharp edges, it's the go-to format for logos, icons, screenshots and any graphic with text or a transparent background.
- PNG is lossless, it preserves every pixel, which makes it crisp for graphics but larger than JPG for photos.
- It supports an alpha channel (transparency), so a cut-out subject can sit on any background.
- For photographs, JPG or WebP are usually far smaller. Reserve PNG for graphics, transparency and screenshots.
Tools for PNG
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PNG to JPG
Convert PNG images to JPG in your browser: pick a background color for transparent areas, set the quality, and download a much smaller file.
Image Compressor
Shrink JPG, PNG and WebP images without a visible quality drop. Set the quality yourself, or compress to an exact target size like 100 KB. Free, entirely in your browser.
WebP Converter
Convert PNG and JPG images to WebP for smaller, faster-loading files, and turn WebP back into PNG or JPG when you need wider compatibility. Free and in-browser.
PNG problems we solve
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Frequently asked questions
Related terms
- JPG (JPEG)JPG (also written JPEG) is the most common photo format. It uses lossy compression to make photographs small by discarding detail your eye barely notices, which is why it's ideal for pictures but poor for sharp graphics, text or transparency.
- WebPWebP is a modern image format from Google that makes photos and graphics significantly smaller than JPG or PNG at similar quality. It's designed for the web to speed up page loads, and supports both lossy and lossless compression plus transparency.
- Transparency (alpha)Transparency (the alpha channel) is the part of an image that has no color, letting whatever is behind it show through. A transparent PNG of a cut-out subject can be placed on any background, a color, a photo, or a web page.
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