PNG (Portable Network Graphics)
PNG is the lossless format of choice for screenshots, logos and any image that needs a transparent background.
- File extension
- .png
- MIME type
- image/png
- Compression
- Lossless
- Transparency
- Yes, full alpha channel
- Animation
- No
- Type
- Raster (pixels)
Where PNG files come from
Screenshots, logos, design exports, and graphics with transparency.
Universal across browsers, operating systems and design software.
What PNG is good at
- Completely lossless — pixels survive unlimited re-saves untouched
- Full 8-bit alpha transparency, including soft edges and drop shadows
- Perfect for text, screenshots, line art and flat colour
Where PNG falls short
- Much larger than JPG or WebP for photographs
- No animation (APNG exists but is patchily supported)
- No quality dial — you cannot trade detail for size
Should you use PNG?
Use it when the image must survive editing and re-saving without degrading, or when transparency matters. Avoid it for large photographs that only need to be viewed, where a lossy format will be a fraction of the size with no visible difference.
Convert from PNG
Convert to PNG
Frequently asked questions
What is PNG (Portable Network Graphics)?
PNG is the lossless format of choice for screenshots, logos and any image that needs a transparent background. Universal across browsers, operating systems and design software.
How do I open PNG files?
Any tool that lists PNG support will open one. If yours will not, the quickest fix is to convert it to a format your software already understands — the converters linked on this page do that in your browser without uploading the file.
Is PNG lossy or lossless?
PNG is lossless — every pixel is stored exactly, and re-saving it repeatedly costs you nothing in quality. The trade-off is a larger file.
Does PNG support transparency?
Yes, PNG carries a full alpha channel, so soft edges and drop shadows survive intact. Converting to a format without alpha — JPG most commonly — flattens those areas onto a solid colour.