Image Format

An image format defines how visual data is encoded and stored in a file (e.g., JPEG, PNG, GIF, SVG, WebP, AVIF). Each format has distinct characteristics regarding compression methods (lossy/lossless), support for transparency or animation, color depth, and typical use cases. Selecting the most appropriate format for the specific image content and technical requirements is a foundational step in web image optimization, directly impacting file size, visual quality, and loading performance.