The ideal image format depends on the content type, required quality, and performance goals. Here is how the main web image formats compare for different use cases.
For photographs and images with complex color gradients, WebP offers the best compression. JPG is a close second with universal compatibility. Avoid PNG for photos — file sizes will be unnecessarily large.
SVG is the best choice for logos and icons — infinitely scalable with tiny file sizes. For raster graphics, PNG provides lossless quality with transparency support. WebP is also excellent for graphics when transparency is needed.
For short animations, WebP and APNG offer much better compression than GIF. For longer animations, consider video formats like MP4 or WebM which are far more efficient.