What is GIF?
GIF is one of the oldest web formats. It is limited to 256 colours per frame and supports simple on/off transparency and animation. GIF is best for simple animations and very small graphics. 256 colours make photos and gradients look grainy, and the format is much less efficient than PNG for still images.
What is PNG?
PNG is a lossless raster format: every pixel is kept exactly, and it supports full transparency (alpha channel). It is the standard for logos, screenshots, icons and graphics with text or sharp edges. PNG is best for logos, screenshots, graphics with text and anything that needs a transparent background.
When should you convert GIF to PNG?
- You need a still image (first frame) of a GIF for a document or a thumbnail.
- An editor or form asks for PNG instead of GIF.
- You want to edit a GIF graphic without its 256-colour limit for future changes.
Tips for the best result
Animated GIFs are converted from their first frame. GIF transparency is kept in the PNG; the colours stay exactly the same, as PNG is lossless.
GIF vs PNG at a glance
| GIF | PNG | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Raster | Raster |
| Compression | Lossless, 256 colours | Lossless |
| Transparency | On/off only | Yes (full alpha) |
| Animation | Yes | No (APNG rarely used) |
| Compatibility | Universal | Universal |
| Best for | Simple animations and very small graphics | Logos, screenshots, graphics with text and anything that needs a transparent background |