ImageGarage

Free, private browser test

JPEG vs PNG vs WebP vs AVIF

Use the same source image to compare real output sizes in your browser. Nothing is uploaded, and unsupported formats are identified instead of estimated.

Interactive comparison

Test your image

Local processing only

Choose an image or drop it here JPEG, PNG, WebP or AVIF · up to 30 MB and 40 megapixels

Choose one image to begin.

Quick answer

Which image format should you choose?

JPEG

A dependable choice for ordinary photographs when broad compatibility matters. It does not preserve transparency.

PNG

Best for transparency, diagrams, interface screenshots and sharp-edged graphics when lossless output matters.

WebP

A practical modern option for web photos and graphics. Compare it with JPEG using the same image and quality setting.

AVIF

A modern format that can produce compact files, but encoding support varies. This lab tests support in your browser.

How this comparison works

  1. The selected image is decoded locally at its original pixel dimensions.
  2. The same pixels are drawn once to a browser canvas. Transparent pixels receive a white background only for JPEG.
  3. JPEG, WebP and AVIF use the selected quality value. PNG uses the browser's lossless PNG encoder.
  4. The displayed size comes from the resulting file—not a prediction. A format appears as unsupported when the browser does not return that requested type.

This makes the lab useful for comparing one real image, not for declaring a universal winner. Photographs, screenshots, logos and illustrations compress differently.

How to interpret the result

The smallest file is not automatically the best file. Inspect text, faces, gradients and hard edges in the previews. A slightly larger image is often the better choice when it avoids visible artifacts or works in more of your target software.

For publishing, test at the final pixel dimensions too. Resizing a 4000-pixel camera image before encoding often saves more data than repeatedly lowering quality.

Methodology and citation

For a reproducible reference, record the source dimensions, original format, browser, quality value and generated CSV. Results can vary between browser encoders, browser versions and devices.

Suggested citation: ImageGarage, “JPEG vs PNG vs WebP vs AVIF: Image Format Comparison Lab,” accessed on the date of your test.

Continue with ImageGarage

Compress an imageControl quality, dimensions or a target file size. Convert an imageExport individual files or batches in another format. Read the JPG guideLearn how to reduce a photograph without over-compressing it.

Frequently asked questions

Does ImageGarage upload the test image?

No. Decoding, encoding and size comparison happen in the browser on your device.

Why is AVIF marked unsupported?

The browser must be able to encode AVIF through its canvas API. Reading AVIF files and writing AVIF files are separate capabilities, so support may differ.

Why can PNG be larger than the original?

The browser re-encodes the pixels rather than copying the original file's compression choices. PNG is lossless, and photographs usually contain patterns that are less efficient for PNG than for lossy photo formats.

Does an equal quality value mean equal visual quality?

No. Quality values are encoder inputs, not a shared visual-quality scale. Always inspect the output as well as its file size.