What is the highest quality image format?

Image API
1

I can see that ImageKit supports multiple image formats like JPG, PNG, WebP, AVIF, SVG etc. I have some images with me in JPG format and some in SVG format. Now if I convert them to one of the output formats that Imagekit supports for better compression, then will the quality be maintained? Which is the best format for image quality or should I instead use PNG format because it is lossless?

2

It really depends on your use case and the type of image.

SVG format

  • This is a vector format, not raster like JPG or PNG.
  • It’s best suited for logos, icons, illustrations, or anything that’s resolution-independent.
  • You don’t lose any quality when resizing, and the file sizes are typically small for simple graphics.
  • If you’re working with SVGs, it’s usually best to keep them as SVG unless you specifically need a raster format for compatibility.

PNG format

  • PNG is a lossless format, so there is no quality degradation when saved or re-saved.
  • It supports transparency, which makes it great for graphics, logos, or images with text and sharp edges.
  • However, PNG file sizes can be large, especially for complex images or photographs.

JPG format

  • JPG uses lossy compression, so there’s always some quality loss—especially noticeable if you save repeatedly.
  • However, it’s ideal for photographs or images with a lot of color and detail where transparency isn’t required.
  • The file sizes are small, and it balances quality and compression well for general use.

WebP and AVIF formats

  • Both support lossy and lossless compression and transparency.
  • WebP offers better compression than JPG and PNG in most cases, with good quality.
  • AVIF typically gives even smaller file sizes than WebP while maintaining excellent visual quality. Browser support for AVIF has also caught up.

So, what’s the best format for quality?

  • If you want the best visual quality without compression loss, PNG (or SVG for vector graphics) is ideal.
  • If you want a balance of quality and size, WebP or AVIF are better options—especially when using ImageKit’s f-auto setting, which will choose the optimal format automatically based on the viewer’s browser support.

If you upload a JPG to ImageKit and enable auto-formatting (f-auto), it’ll serve the most optimized format (like WebP or AVIF) without visibly losing quality.