TSUBAMI / PRACTICAL GUIDE
JPG, PNG, WebP or GIF: which image format fits?
Choose a format for the image and the place you plan to use it.
Updated October 24, 2026 · Tsubami
Start with the destination
Check which formats the receiving website or application accepts. A small WebP is not useful if an application requires JPG. Keep an original in its source format, and convert a copy for the destination. A format change does not restore detail already lost to compression.
JPG for a photo-sized copy
Tsubami’s JPG export uses a quality setting and a white background for transparent areas. It is useful when the destination accepts JPG and a compact photographic copy is the goal. Check small text, sharp edges and fine detail after lowering quality.
PNG when transparency matters
PNG keeps transparency and uses lossless output encoding. It can produce larger photo files than JPG or WebP. Exporting a low-quality source as PNG preserves its decoded pixels; it does not make the original sharper.
WebP for supported destinations
WebP output supports a quality setting and can retain transparency. Compare its actual file size with JPG or PNG for your image and check compatibility with the destination. The smallest result depends on the image content and export settings.
Static GIF and animated GIF
Convert image can produce a static GIF with a palette of at most 256 colors. Make GIF assembles selected static images into a new animation with delay and repeat controls. Other image tools read only the first frame of an animated GIF; they do not preserve its animation.
Other accepted input formats
Tsubami can also decode BMP, sanitized SVG and the first page of TIFF. SVG output is rasterized into the chosen image format, so it no longer has resolution-independent vector shapes. HEIC, RAW and PSD are not supported.
Tools for this job
These guides describe the current Tsubami tools and their limitations. Keep originals and inspect outputs before relying on them. See supported files and limits.