Images · Best format for…
Best Image Format for Email
Email clients are conservative. Fancy formats that work in Chrome often fail in Outlook or older mobile apps.
Quick take: JPG and PNG are the safest email image formats. Avoid relying on SVG or HEIC. Animated GIF still works for simple motion; MP4 support in email is uneven.
Formats to consider
JPG
Best for email photosWidely rendered in inbox clients.
Pros
- Universal
- Smaller photos
Cons
- No transparency
PNG
Best for logos and transparency in emailSafe raster with alpha for signatures.
Pros
- Transparency
- Sharp logos
Cons
- Larger than JPG for photos
GIF
Best simple animation in emailStill the lowest-friction animated option in many clients.
Pros
- Wide support
Cons
- Limited colors
- Heavy if long
WEBP
Risky as the only email formatSupport improved but not universal in every client.
Pros
- Small
Cons
- Fallbacks needed
SVG
Avoid as primary email imageMany clients block or ignore SVG images.
Pros
- —
Cons
- Poor email support
Recommendations by situation
Newsletter hero photo
Pick: JPG
Renders almost everywhere; keep width reasonable.
Logo in signature
Pick: PNG
Transparency + crisp edges without SVG risk.
Short promotional animation
Pick: GIF (or static JPG if weight matters)
Motion support is inconsistent for video.
iPhone photo attach
Pick: Convert HEIC → JPG first
Windows and many webmail clients struggle with HEIC.
Convert now
Turn the recommendation into a file — every converter between these formats is linked below. Processing stays in your browser.
All related converters (83)
Related comparisons
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FAQ
Can I use WebP in HTML emails?
Only with careful fallbacks. JPG/PNG remain the safe default.
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