PNG file format
Portable Network Graphics (.png): screenshots, logos, graphics with text and anything that needs a transparent background.
PNG keeps every pixel exactly as it is (lossless compression) and supports smooth, partial transparency. That makes it ideal for screenshots, logos, UI graphics and images with text, but photos saved as PNG are usually 5–10 times bigger than the same photo as JPG.
| Full name | Portable Network Graphics |
|---|---|
| File extension | .png |
| MIME type | image/png |
| Created | 1996 by the W3C, as a patent-free replacement for GIF |
| Compression | Lossless |
| Transparency | Yes |
| Animation | No |
| Colors | Up to 16 bits per channel, full alpha |
| Opens on | Every browser, phone and computer |
| Best for | screenshots, logos, graphics with text and anything that needs a transparent background |
Advantages
- Lossless: no quality loss, ever
- Full transparency (alpha channel)
- Crisp text and sharp edges
Drawbacks
- Photos are very large
- No animation (except the rarely used APNG variant)
Convert PNG to…
Convert to PNG
More PNG tools
Frequently asked questions
What is a .png file?
PNG keeps every pixel exactly as it is (lossless compression) and supports smooth, partial transparency. That makes it ideal for screenshots, logos, UI graphics and images with text, but photos saved as PNG are usually 5–10 times bigger than the same photo as JPG.
How do I open a PNG file?
PNG files open on Every browser, phone and computer. If a program will not open yours, convert it to a more common format.
Is PNG lossless?
Yes, PNG is lossless: no detail is lost when saving.
How do I convert PNG?
Use one of the converters below — they run in your browser, so your images are never uploaded. Most popular: PNG to JPG, PNG to WebP, PNG to PDF.