Media concepts · Comparison
Lossy vs Lossless
Lossy is not “bad” — it is how the web stays fast. Problems appear when you repeatedly re-encode lossy files or use lossy formats for sharp UI text.
Quick take: Lossless keeps every detail (PNG, FLAC, lossless WebP). Lossy discards imperceptible data for smaller files (JPG, MP3, lossy WebP/AVIF). Choose based on master vs delivery.
Masters vs delivery
Keep lossless or high-quality masters for editing. Ship lossy derivatives for pages and chat apps.
Generation loss
JPG → edit → JPG → edit compounds artifacts. Convert once from a master when possible.
Key points
- Lossless = reversible compression.
- Lossy = smaller files, permanent discard.
- Don’t stack lossy encodes carelessly.
Lossy vs Lossless
Lossy
- Much smaller typical sizes
- JPG, MP3, lossy WebP/AVIF, H.264
- Ideal for delivery
Lossless
- Exact reconstruction
- PNG, FLAC, lossless WebP, WAV/PCM
- Ideal for masters and sharp graphics
Photo for a website
Pick: Lossy (WebP/AVIF/JPG)
Size wins; detail loss is usually invisible.
Logo with text on transparent background
Pick: Lossless PNG or SVG
Keep edges crisp; avoid JPG smear.
Examples
Lossy
JPG hero image, MP3 podcast.
Lossless
PNG UI screenshot, FLAC archive audio, PNG ↔ lossless WebP.
Try it in a converter
Concepts stick better with a real file — processing stays in your browser.
Related concepts
FAQ
Is PNG always lossless?
Standard PNG is lossless. It can still be huge for photos — use JPG/WebP for camera images.
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