What is PNG?
Portable Network Graphics
PNG is a lossless image format with full transparency support. It's the go-to choice for logos, screenshots, UI graphics, and any image where pixel-perfect quality matters more than file size.
History of PNG
PNG (Portable Network Graphics) was created in 1996 as a free, lossless replacement for GIF after the GIF/LZW patent controversy. It added 24-bit color, alpha transparency, and better compression. PNG became the standard for logos, screenshots, UI assets, and any image where quality matters more than file size.
Technical specs
- Format name
- Portable Network Graphics
- File extension
- .png
- MIME type
- image/png
- Category
- Image
- Compression
- Lossless
When to use PNG
Reach for PNG when you need logos and graphics with transparency, screenshots and ui mockups, web graphics that need crisp edges, print-ready artwork. It excels at these scenarios because lossless — no quality loss when re-saved and full alpha transparency.
Pros
- +Lossless — no quality loss when re-saved
- +Full alpha transparency
- +Universal browser and software support
When to avoid PNG
Avoid PNG when much larger files than jpg for photos, and no animation (use apng or gif). In those cases, look at the alternatives below.
Cons
- −Much larger files than JPG for photos
- −No animation (use APNG or GIF)
- −Outperformed by WebP and AVIF on the modern web
Common uses for PNG
- Logos and graphics with transparency
- Screenshots and UI mockups
- Web graphics that need crisp edges
- Print-ready artwork
Alternatives to PNG
For photos where file size matters, JPG. For modern web optimization with transparency, WebP or AVIF.
Convert PNG to…
Convert to PNG from…
PNG — Frequently Asked Questions
Is PNG still used in 2026?
Is PNG still used in 2026?
Yes, PNG is actively used. Logos and graphics with transparency keeps it relevant.
Can I open a PNG file on my phone?
Can I open a PNG file on my phone?
Yes, on every phone.
Why is my PNG file so large?
Why is my PNG file so large?
PNG is uncompressed or lightly compressed — every detail of the original signal is preserved. That fidelity costs disk space. To shrink files significantly, convert to a more compressed format from the same category.
Can I convert PNG to another format for free?
Can I convert PNG to another format for free?
Yes — Zen Convert converts PNG files to every other image format we support, for free, in your browser. No signup, no watermark.
Is PNG open-source?
Is PNG open-source?
Yes — PNG is fully open-source and royalty-free. You can implement, distribute, and use it without paying any licensing fees.