Image file format: Difference between revisions

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{{About|digital image formats used to store photographic and other images|disk-image file formats|Disk image|digital file formats in general|File format|introductory information on Wikipedia's use of images|Wikipedia:Images}}

{{Redir|Image format|the camera sensor format|Image sensor format}}

{{Original research|date=August 2025}}

An '''image file format''' is a [[file format]] for a digital image. There are many formats that can be used, such as [[JPEG]], [[Portable Network Graphics|PNG]], and [[GIF]]. Most formats up until 2022 were for storing 2D images, not 3D ones. The data stored in an image file format may be compressed or uncompressed. If the data is compressed, it may be done so using [[lossy compression]] or [[lossless compression]]. For graphic design applications, [[vector graphics|vector]] formats are often used. Some image file formats support [[Transparency (graphic)|transparency]].

Raster formats are for [[2D image]]s. A 3D image can be represented within a 2D format, as in a [[stereoscopy|stereogram]] or [[autostereogram]], but this 3D image will not be a true [[light field]], and thereby may cause the [[vergence-accommodation conflict]].

Image [[Computer file|files]] are composed of digital data in one of these formats so that the data can be displayed on a digital (computer) display or printed out using a printer. A common method for displaying digital image information has historically been [[Raster graphics|rasterization]].

== Image file sizes ==

The size of raster image files is positively correlated with the number of pixels in the image and the color depth (bits per pixel). Images can be compressed in various ways, however. A compression [[algorithm]] stores either an exact representation or an approximation of the original image in a smaller number of bytes that can be expanded back to its uncompressed form with a corresponding decompression algorithm. Images with the same number of pixels and color depth can have very different compressed file sizesizes. Considering exactly the same compression, number of pixels, and color depth for two images, different graphical complexity of the original images may also result in very different file sizes after compression due to the nature of compression algorithms. With some compression formats, images that are less complex may result in smaller compressed file sizes. This characteristic sometimes results in a smaller file size for some lossless formats than lossy formats. For example, graphically simple images (i.e., images with large continuous regions like line art or animation sequences) may be losslessly compressed into a GIF or PNG format and result in a smaller file size than a lossy JPEG format.

For example, a 640{{resx}}480 pixel image with 24-bit color would occupy almost a megabyte of space:

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== Image file compression ==

There are two types of '''[[image file compression]]''' algorithms: [[Lossless data compression|lossless]] and [[Lossy compression|lossy]].

'''Lossless compression''' algorithms reduce file size while preserving a perfect copy of the original uncompressed image. Lossless compression generally, but not always, results in larger files than lossy compression. Lossless compression should be used to avoid accumulating stages of re-compression when editing images.

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</imagemap>

Including proprietary types, there are hundreds of image file types. The PNG, JPEG, and GIF formats are most often used to display images on the Internet. Some of these graphic formats are listed and briefly described below, separated into the two main families of graphics: raster and vector. Raster images are further divided into formats primarily aimed at (web) delivery (i.e., supporting relatively strong compression) versus formats primarily aimed at authoring or interchange (uncompressed or only relatively weak compression).

In addition to straight image formats, '''[[Metafile]]''' formats are portable formats whichthat can include both raster and vector information. Examples are application-independent formats such as [[Windows Metafile|WMF]] and [[Enhanced Metafile|EMF]]. The metafile format is an intermediate format. Most applications open metafiles and then save them in their own native format. '''[[Page description language]]''' refers to formats used to describe the layout of a printed page containing text, objects, and images. Examples are [[PostScript]], [[PDF]], and [[Printer Command Language|PCL]].

=== Raster formats (2D) ===

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===== JPEG =====

[[JPEG]] (Joint Photographic Experts Group) is a [[lossy compression]] method; JPEG-compressed images are usually stored in the '''[[JFIF]]''' (JPEG File Interchange Format) or the '''[[Exif]]''' (Exchangeable imageImage fileFile formatFormat) file format. The JPEG [[filename extension]] is '''JPG''' or '''JPEG'''. Nearly every digital camera can save images in the JPEG format, which supports eight-bit grayscale images and 24-bit color images (eight bits each for red, green, and blue). JPEG applies lossy compression to images, which can result in a significant reduction of the file size. Applications can determine the degree of compression to apply, and the amount of compression affects the visual quality of the result. When not too great, the compression does not noticeably affect or detract from the image's quality, but JPEG files suffer [[Generation loss|generational degradation]] when repeatedly edited and saved. (JPEG also provides lossless image storage, but the lossless version is not widely supported.)

===== GIF =====

The '''GIF''' ([[Graphics Interchange Format]]) is in normal use limited to an 8-bit palette, or 256 colors (while 24-bit color depth is technically possible).<ref name=aminet>{{cite web|url=http://uk.aminet.net/docs/misc/GIF24.readme |title=GIF 24 Bit (truecolor) extensions |author=Andreas Kleinert |year=2007 |access-date=23 March 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120316215949/http://uk.aminet.net/docs/misc/GIF24.readme |archive-date=16 March 2012 }}</ref><ref name=philhoward>{{cite web|url=http://phil.ipal.org/tc.html |title=True-Color GIF Example |author=Philip Howard |access-date=23 March 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150222123613/http://phil.ipal.org/tc.html |archive-date=22 February 2015 }}</ref> GIF is most suitable for storing graphics with few colors, such as simple diagrams, shapes, logos, and cartoon -style images, as it uses [[Lempel–Ziv–Welch|LZW]] lossless compression, which is more effective when large areas have a single color, and less effective for photographic or [[dither]]ed images. Due to GIF's simplicity and age, it achieved almost universal software support. Due to its animation capabilities, it is still widely used to provide image animation effects, despite its low compression ratio compared to modern video formats.

===== PNG =====

The '''PNG''' ([[Portable Network Graphics]]) file format was created as a free, open-source alternative to GIF. The PNG file format supports 8-bit (256 colors) paletted images (with optional transparency for all palette colors) and 24-bit truecolor (16 million colors) or 48-bit truecolor with and without an alpha channel – while GIF supports only 8-bit palettes with a single transparent color.

Compared to JPEG, PNG excels when the image has large, uniformly colored areas. Even for photographs – where JPEG is often the choice for final distribution since its lossy compression typically yields smaller file sizes – PNG is still well-suited to storing images during the editing process because of its lossless compression.

PNG provides a patent-free replacement for GIF (though GIF is itself now patent-free) and can also replace many common uses of TIFF. Indexed-color, grayscale, and truecolor images are supported, plus an optional alpha channel. The [[Adam7 algorithm|Adam7]] interlacing allows an early preview, even when only a small percentage of the image data has been transmitted — usefultransmitted—useful in online viewing applications like [[web browser]]s. PNG can store gamma and chromaticity data, as well as [[ICC profile]]s, for accurate color matching on heterogeneous platforms.

Animated formats derived from PNG are [[Multiple-image Network Graphics|MNG]] and [[APNG]], which is backwards compatible with PNG and supported by most browsers.

===== JPEG 2000 =====

[[JPEG 2000]] is a compression standard enabling both lossless and lossy storage. The compression methods used are different from the ones in standard JFIF/JPEG; they improve quality and compression ratios, but also require more computational power to process. JPEG 2000 also adds features that are missing in JPEG. It is not nearly as common as JPEG, but it is used currently in professional movie editing and distribution (some digital cinemas, for example, use JPEG 2000 for individual movie frames).

===== WebP =====

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===== HEIF =====

The [[High Efficiency Image File Format]] (HEIF) is an image container format that was standardized by [[Moving Picture Experts Group|MPEG]] on the basis of the [[ISO base media file format]]. While HEIF can be used with any image compression format, the HEIF standard specifies the storage of [[High Efficiency Video Coding|HEVC]] intra-coded images and HEVC-coded image sequences taking advantage of inter-picture prediction.

===== AVIF =====

[[AVIF|AV1 Imageis Filean Formatimage container, (AVIF)]]that standardizedis byused theto videostore consortiumAV1 encoded images. It was created by [[Alliance_for_Open_Media|Alliance for open media (AOMedia)]] creatorand ofis thecompletely videoopen format [[Av1]], to take advantage of modern compression algorithmssource and a completely royalty-free image format. It usessupports theencoding imageimages formatin with8, [[AVIF]] coding10 and recommends12-bit using the [[HEIF]] container, see [[High_Efficiency_Image_File_Format#AVIF:_AV1_in_HEIF|AV1 in HEIF]]depth.

===== JPEG XL =====

[[JPEG XL]] is a royalty-free raster-graphics file format that supports both lossy and lossless compression. It supports reversible recompression of existing JPEG files, as well as high-precision HDR (up to 32-bit floating point values per pixel component). It is designed to be usable for both delivery and authoring use cases.

[[JPEG XL]] is just a Higher compression of the original jpeg format// as with all pc=mac=phones=consoles except for the ps3 which is an Amiga clone ,which is superior. These pcs use a the 8bit layered,grouped,leveled or whatever they want to call it next. So The original Classic Amiga Formats Are still better.

==== Authoring / Interchange formats ====

=====TIFF=====

The '''TIFF''' ([[Tag Image File Format]]) format is a flexible format usually using either the '''TIFF''' or '''TIF''' filename extension. The tag structure was designed to be easily extendible, and many vendors have introduced proprietary special-purpose tags – with the result that no one reader handles every flavor of TIFF file. TIFFs can be lossy or lossless, depending on the technique chosen for storing the pixel data. Some offer relatively good lossless compression for [[bi-level image|bi-level (black&white) images]]. Some digital cameras can save images in TIFF format, using the [[LZW]] compression algorithm for lossless storage. TIFF image format is not widely supported by web browsers, but it remains widely accepted as a photograph file standard in the printing business. TIFF can handle device-specific color spaces, such as the [[CMYK]] defined by a particular set of printing press inks. [[Optical character recognition|OCR]] (Optical Character Recognition) software packages commonly generate some form of TIFF image (often [[Monochrome|monochromatic]]) for scanned text pages.

===== BMP =====

The '''[[BMP file format]]''' (Windows bitmap) is a raster-based, device-independent file type designed in the early days of computer graphics. It handles graphic files within the Microsoft Windows OS. Typically, BMP files are uncompressed, and therefore large and lossless; their advantage is their simple structure and wide acceptance in Windows programs.

===== PPM, PGM, PBM, and PNM =====

[[Netpbm format]] is a family including the '''portable pixmap''' file format (PPM), the '''portable graymap''' file format (PGM), and the '''portable bitmap''' file format (PBM). These are either pure [[ASCII]] files or raw binary files with an ASCII header that provide very basic functionality and serve as a lowest common denominator for converting pixmap, graymap, or bitmap files between different platforms. Several applications refer to them collectively as PNM ("'''P'''ortable a'''N'''y '''M'''ap").

=====Container formats of [[raster graphics editors]]=====

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* [[Corel Photo Paint|CPT]] (Corel Photo Paint)

* [[Krita|KRA]] (Krita)

* MDP ([[MediBang Paint|Medibang]] and FireAlpaca)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://fileinfo.com/extension/mdp |title=.MDP File Extension |access-date=2025-05-01}}</ref>

* [[Paint.net|PDN]] (Paint Dot Net)

* PLD ([[PhotoLine]] Document)

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* [[Corel Paint Shop Pro|PSP]] (Corel Paint Shop Pro)

* [[Paint Tool SAI|SAI]] (Paint Tool SAI)

* [[XCF (file format)|XCF]] (eXperimental Computing Facility format) — native—native [[GIMP]] format

==== Other raster formats ====

* BPG ([[Better Portable Graphics]]) — an—an image format from 2014. Its purpose is to replace JPEG when quality or file size is an issue. To that end, it features a high [[data compression ratio]], based on a subset of the [[High Efficiency Video Coding|HEVC]] video compression standard, including [[lossless compression]]. In addition, it supports various meta data (such as EXIF).

* DEEP — DEEP—[[Interchange File Format|IFF]]-style format used by [[TVPaint]]

* [[Drawn File|DRW]] (Drawn File)

* [[ECW (file format)|ECW]] (Enhanced Compression Wavelet)

* [[FITS]] (Flexible Image Transport System)

* [[FLIF]] (Free Lossless Image Format) — a—a discontinued lossless image format which claims to outperform PNG, lossless WebP, lossless BPG and lossless JPEG 2000 in terms of compression ratio. It uses the MANIAC (Meta-Adaptive Near-zero Integer Arithmetic Coding) entropy encoding algorithm, a variant of the [[Context-adaptive binary arithmetic coding|CABAC]] (context-adaptive binary arithmetic coding) entropy encoding algorithm.

* [[ICO (file format)|ICO]] — container—container for one or more icons (subsets of [[BMP file format|BMP]] and/or [[Portable Network Graphics|PNG]])

* [[ILBM]] — [[Interchange File Format|IFF]]-style format for up to 32 bit in planar representation, plus optional 64 bit extensions

* [[ERDAS IMAGINE|IMG]] (ERDAS IMAGINE Image)

* IMG ([[Graphics Environment Manager]] (GEM) image file) — planar—planar, [[Run-length encoding|run-length encoded]]

* [[JPEG XR]] — JPEG—JPEG standard based on Microsoft HD Photo

* [[Layered Image File Format]] — for [[microscope image processing]]

* [[Nrrd]] (Nearly raw raster data)

* [[PAM graphics format|PAM]] (Portable Arbitrary Map) — late—late addition to the [[Netpbm format|Netpbm family]]

* [[PCX]] (PiCture eXchange) — obsolete—obsolete

* [[Progressive Graphics File|PGF]] (Progressive Graphics File)

* [[Silicon Graphics Image|SGI]] (Silicon Graphics Image) — native—native raster graphics file format for Silicon Graphics workstations

* PLBM (Planar Bitmap) — proprietary [[Amiga]] format

* [[Silicon Graphics Image|SGI]] (Silicon Graphics Image) — native raster graphics file format for Silicon Graphics workstations

* [[MrSID|SID]] (multiresolution seamless image database, MrSID)

* [[Sun Raster]] — obsolete—obsolete

* [[Truevision TGA|TGA]] (TARGA) — obsolete—obsolete

* [[VICAR file format]] — [[NASA]]/[[JPL]] image transport format

* XISF (Extensible Image Serialization Format)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://pixinsight.com/xisf/ |title=XISF |access-date=2025-05-01}}</ref>

=== Vector formats ===

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As opposed to the raster image formats above (where the data describes the characteristics of each individual pixel), vector image formats contain a geometric description which can be rendered smoothly at any desired display size.

At some point, all vector graphics must be rasterized in order to be displayed on digital monitors. Vector images may also be displayed with analog [[Cathode-ray tube|CRT]] technology such as that used in some [[electronic test equipment]], [[medical monitors]], [[radar]] displays, [[Laser light show|laser shows]] and [[Spacewar!|early video games]]. [[Plotter]]s are printers that use vector data rather than pixel data to draw graphics.

==== CGM ====

CGM ([[Computer Graphics Metafile]]) is a file format for [[vector graphics|2D vector graphics]], raster graphics, and [[character (computer)|text]], and is defined by '''[[International Organization for Standardization|ISO]]/[[International Electrotechnical Commission|IEC]] 8632'''. All [[computer graphics|graphical]] elements can be specified in a textual [[source file]] that can be compiled into a [[binary file]] or one of two text representations. CGM provides a means of graphics data interchange for computer representation of 2D graphical information independent from any particular application, system, platform, or device.

It has been adopted to some extent in the areas of [[engineering drawing|technical illustration]] and professional [[Industrial design|design]], but has largely been superseded by formats such as [[Scalable Vector Graphics|SVG]] and [[AutoCAD DXF|DXF]].

==== Gerber format (RS-274X) ====

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==== Other 2D vector formats ====

* AFDesign ([[Affinity Designer]] document)

* AI ([[Adobe Illustrator Artwork]]) — proprietary file format developed by [[Adobe Inc.|Adobe Systems]]

* CDR — proprietaryCDR—proprietary format for [[CorelDRAW]] vector graphics editor

* !DRAW — aDRAW—a native vector graphic format (in several backward compatible versions) for the [[RISC-OS]] computer system begun by Acorn in the mid-1980s and still present on that platform today

* [[DrawingML]] — used—used in [[Office Open XML file formats|Office Open XML documents]]

* GEM — metafilesGEM—metafiles interpreted and written by the [[Graphics Environment Manager]] VDI subsystem

* GLE ([[Graphics Layout Engine]]) — graphics—graphics scripting language

* [[HP-GL]] (Hewlett-Packard Graphics Language) — introduced—introduced on [[Hewlett-Packard]] plotters, but generalized into a printer language

* HVIF ([[Haiku Vector Icon Format]])

* [[Lottie (file format)|Lottie]] — format—format for vector graphics animation

* [[MathML]] (Mathematical Markup Language) — an—an application of XML for describing mathematical notations

* [[NAPLPS]] (North American Presentation Layer Protocol Syntax)

* ODG ([[OpenDocument Graphics]])

* PGML ([[Precision Graphics Markup Language]]) — a—a [[World Wide Web Consortium|W3C]] submission that was not adopted as a [[W3C recommendation|recommendation]]

* [[PSTricks]] and [[PGF/TikZ]] are languages for creating graphics in [[TeX]] documents

* QCC — usedQCC—used by Quilt Manager (by Quilt EZ) for designing quilts<ref>{{cite web |url=https://fileinfo.com/extension/qcc |title=.QCC File Extension |access-date=2025-05-01}}</ref>

* [[ReGIS]] (Remote Graphic Instruction Set) — used—used by [[Digital Equipment Corporation|DEC]] [[computer terminal]]s

* [[Remote imaging protocol]] — system—system for sending vector graphics over low-bandwidth links

* TinyVG — binaryTinyVG—binary, simpler alternative to SVG<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://tinyvg.tech/ |title=TinyVG |access-date=2023-01-31 |archive-date=2023-01-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109224807/https://tinyvg.tech/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

* VML ([[Vector Markup Language]]) — obsolete—obsolete XML-based format

* [[Xar (graphics)|Xar]] — format—format used in vector applications from [[Xara]]

* XPS ([[Open XML Paper Specification|XML Paper Specification]]) — page—page description language and a fixed-document format

==== 3D vector formats ====

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* [[Additive Manufacturing File Format|AMF]] – Additive Manufacturing File Format

*[[Asymptote (vector graphics language)|Asymptote]] – A language that lifts TeX to 3D.

*[[.blend#File format|.blend]] – Blender

*[[COLLADA]]

*[[DGN]]

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*[[.dwg]]

*[[.dxf]]

*eDrawings<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.edrawingsviewer.com/frequently-asked-questions |title=Frequently Asked Questions |access-date=2025-05-01}}</ref>

*eDrawings

*[[.flt]] – [[OpenFlight]]

*[[FVRML]] – and FX3D, function-based extensions of VRML and X3D

*[[glTF]] - 3D asset delivery format (.glb binary version)

*HSF<ref>{{cite web |url=https://fileinfo.com/extension/hsf |title=.HSF File Extension |access-date=2025-05-01}}</ref>

*HSF

*[[IGES]]

*IMML – Immersive Media Markup Language

*IPA

*[[JT (visualization format)|JT]]

*.MA (Maya ASCII format)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://docs.fileformat.com/3d/ma/ |title=What is an MA file? |access-date=2025-05-01}}</ref>

*.MA (Maya ASCII format)

*.MB (Maya Binary format)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://docs.fileformat.com/3d/mb/ |title=What is an MB file? |access-date=2025-05-01}}</ref>

*.MB (Maya Binary format)

*.OBJ [[Wavefront .obj file|Wavefront]]

*[[OpenGEX]] – Open Game Engine Exchange

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*[[U3D]] – Universal 3D file format

*[[VRML]] – Virtual Reality Modeling Language

*[[XAML]]

*[[Extensible Application Markup Language|XAML]]

*XGL<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cadinterop.com/en/formats/mesh/xgl.html |title=XGL Guide for CAD Interoperability: Optimal Visualization and Conversion of 3D Models |access-date=2025-05-01}}</ref>

*XGL

*[[XVL]]

*[[xVRML]]

*[[X3D]]

*3DF<ref>{{cite web |url=https://fileinfo.com/extension/3df |title=.3DF File Extension |access-date=2025-05-01}}</ref>

*.3D

*.3DM<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.loc.gov/preservation/digital/formats/fdd/fdd000601.shtml |title=3D Model File Format Family |access-date=2025-05-01}}</ref>

*3DF

*.3DM

* [[.3ds]] – Autodesk 3D Studio

*[[3DXML]]

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* WMF / EMF ([[Windows Metafile]] / Enhanced Metafile)

*[[SWF]] (Shockwave Flash)

*[[Extensible Application Markup Language|XAML]] User interface language using vector graphics for images.

=== Stereo formats ===