| File Extension |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
Best for... |
| BMP
|
File quality can
be maintained when file is resized.
Loads quickly since it is not compressed. |
Cannot be used
on the Web.
Large file size.
|
Print graphics
such as logos or icons. |
| TIF
|
Can be very high resolution.
Can be used by most scanning and graphics
programs. |
Large file size.
|
Scanned images and photographs. |
| GIF
|
Small file size.
Can be used on any browser.
Can have animated, transparent, or
regular GIFs.
Lossless compression - image doesn't
degrade when file size is reduced. |
Can contain only
256 colors or fewer.
8-bit only.
|
Line drawings;
pictures and drawings with large areas
of solid color. |
| JPG
|
Contains millions of colors (24-bit
palette). |
Lossy compression - when files are
reduced in size, image is degraded.
May take longer to load because of
decompression time.
|
Photographic images.
Images with subtle color gradations. |
| PNG
|
Can
be 8-bit, 24-bit, or 32-bit.
Lossless compression.
Endorsed by the World Wide Web consortium
(W3C).
Can store alpha channel (variable)
transparency.
Supports gamma correction (cross-platform
control of image brightness.
Supports two-dimensional interlacing
(a method of progressive display). |
Does
not yet have complete alpha channel
support in IE.
Not supported by some (pre-2001)
older browsers. |
Any
type of Web graphic except animations. |
