What is a PNG file?
PNG is a lossless format: it never throws image data away, so text and sharp edges stay crisp and it supports full transparency. The trade-off is file size: a photo saved as PNG is often 5 to 10 times bigger than the same photo as JPG. PNG files can hold hidden text chunks with software names, authors and dates.
| Full name | Portable Network Graphics |
|---|---|
| File extensions | .png |
| MIME type | image/png |
| Introduced | 1996 |
| Compression | Lossless |
| Transparency | Yes (full alpha) |
| Animation | APNG only |
| Typical file size | Large |
| Best for | screenshots, logos, graphics with text and anything that needs a transparent background |
| Compatibility | Universal: every browser, OS and editor |
How to open a PNG file
Windows
Opens in Photos, Paint, Snipping Tool and all browsers.
Mac
Opens in Preview; Quick Look works too.
iPhone and iPad
Tap it in Files or save it to Photos.
Android
Opens in Google Photos, Gallery and any browser.
If none of these work, convert the file to a more widely supported format with one of the tools below.
Convert PNG files
Convert other files to PNG
Other tools for PNG files
PNG metadata and privacy
PNG files can contain text chunks with the software, author and creation time, and sometimes EXIF data. Screenshots often record the app or operating system that made them.
Remove metadata from PNG files · View the metadata
PNG compared with other formats
- JPG vs PNG: Use JPG for photos and PNG for screenshots, logos, text and anything that needs a transparent background.
- PNG vs WebP: WebP does almost everything PNG does at a fraction of the size, but PNG still opens in more places.
- HEIC vs PNG: HEIC is a compact photo format; PNG is a large lossless format best kept for graphics. Convert HEIC to PNG only when you need lossless editing.
- GIF vs PNG: For still images PNG beats GIF in every way. GIF only makes sense for simple animations.
- PNG vs SVG: SVG is for shapes (logos, icons, illustrations) and scales to any size; PNG is for pixels (screenshots, photos).
- TIFF vs PNG: Both are lossless. PNG is web-friendly and compact; TIFF is for print workflows and multi-page scans.
- BMP vs PNG: PNG stores the same pixels as BMP in a fraction of the space. Only use BMP when a program specifically requires it.
- ICO vs PNG: ICO is a container for icons at several sizes (often PNGs inside). Use ICO for favicons and Windows shortcuts, PNG for everything else.
Frequently asked questions
What is a PNG file?
PNG is a lossless format: it never throws image data away, so text and sharp edges stay crisp and it supports full transparency. The trade-off is file size: a photo saved as PNG is often 5 to 10 times bigger than the same photo as JPG.
How do I open a PNG file on Windows?
Opens in Photos, Paint, Snipping Tool and all browsers.
How do I open a PNG file on a Mac?
Opens in Preview; Quick Look works too.
Is PNG lossy or lossless?
PNG is lossless or uncompressed, so no detail is lost when saving.
Does PNG support transparency?
Yes: (full alpha).
How do I convert PNG to another format?
Use one of the free converters on this page, for example PNG to SVG, PNG to JPG, PNG to WebP. Files are converted in your browser without being uploaded.