Master WordPress file types with Resize Control

There are various file types each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Below, we describe 4 WordPress file types supported by the Resize Control plugin. It’s important to use this knowledge to choose which file types you opt for in order to ensure speed and user-friendliness. There is no file type that meets all requirements, hence the choice often needs to be made per image or per post type.

JPG

JPG, a lossy image compression format, was created in 1992. Commonly referred to as JPEG, it has become the most widely used image format globally. Unlike PNG and some other formats, JPG does not support transparency. Its compression technique significantly reduces file size while maintaining quality. Despite its age and the availability of newer formats offering similar features, JPG remains one of the best choices. This enduring relevance is due to its universal compatibility; virtually every type of software supports JPG, a benefit that newer formats have yet to match. Thus, while there are technically superior formats available, JPG’s widespread support ensures its continued prominence in digital imaging.

Pros:

• Widely Supported: Nearly every digital device and web platform supports JPG, making it extremely versatile for a variety of uses.
• Good Compression: Offers significant file size reduction while maintaining a reasonable quality, ideal for web use where speed and bandwidth are considerations.

Cons:

• Lossy Compression: Quality degrades with each save, making it unsuitable for storing original images or those requiring multiple edits.
• No Transparency Support: Cannot handle transparent backgrounds, limiting its use in graphic design where overlay effects are needed.

PNG

PNG, short for Portable Network Graphic format, emerged in 1995 as an improved substitute for GIF. Designed specifically for digital applications, PNG exclusively supports the RGB color model and utilizes a lossless compression algorithm to preserve raster images. One of its standout features is the alpha channel, enabling support for transparency. Due to these attributes, PNG has become the most popular format for images requiring its specific advantages, such as crisp, transparent backgrounds and lossless image quality. This makes it a favored choice for web and graphic design where precision and clarity are paramount.

Pros:

• Lossless Compression: Preserves image quality regardless of how many times the file is saved, making it ideal for images that undergo multiple edits.
• Supports Transparency: Offers an alpha channel for transparency, allowing for the creation of images with transparent backgrounds.

Cons:

• Larger File Sizes: Compared to lossy formats like JPG, PNG files are larger, which can be a disadvantage for website loading times and storage.
• Limited to RGB Color Model: Not suitable for professional printing which often requires a CMYK color model.

WEBP

WEBP is an image compression format that combines efficiency with quality, offering a significant advantage over traditional JPEG files. Notably faster and often smaller in size, WEBP can reduce image file sizes by 25 to 35% compared to standard JPEGs, without sacrificing visual quality. This reduction in file size can greatly enhance a website’s loading speed, making WEBP a popular choice for optimizing online content. Supported by all major browsers and endorsed by Google, WEBP has become a recommended format for web developers seeking to improve site performance and user experience.

Pros:

• Efficient Compression: Provides superior compression, reducing file sizes significantly without compromising on image quality.
• Supports Transparency and Animation: Versatile in usage, supporting features like transparency and animation in a single format.

Cons:

• Browser Compatibility: While support is improving, some users may experience compatibility issues with older browsers or specific devices.
• Limited Editing Software Support: Not all image editing software supports WEBP natively, potentially complicating workflows.

AVIF

Introduced in 2019, AVIF is a versatile file format capable of housing both individual and sequences of images. Notably, Netflix, as an early adopter, favored AVIF for its remarkable compression capabilities, achieving sizes up to ten times smaller than traditional JPG files. However, AVIF’s widespread integration faces hurdles, with many mainstream applications yet to offer support. For instance, AVIF is not one of the natively supported WordPress file types, though users can introduce this functionality through PHP adjustments or by incorporating the “AVIF Support | AVIF Uploader” plugin. It’s important to note that activating AVIF support also demands a server with ImageMagick (minimum version 7.0.25) or GD, which are not standard installations.

Pros:

• High Compression Efficiency: Can achieve significantly smaller file sizes than JPG with comparable or even better image quality.
• Advanced Features: Supports a wide range of features like high dynamic range (HDR) and 8K resolution.

Cons:

• Limited Support: As a newer format, not all browsers and image editing tools support AVIF, which may limit its immediate usability. Also WordPress don’t support it by default.
• More Demanding on Resources: Creating and decoding AVIF images can be more resource-intensive, potentially impacting performance on less powerful devices.