PNG
PNG (noun) means an image format that stores a picture without losing any detail and can make parts of the image transparent, commonly used for logos, screenshots and graphics with sharp edges. Example: “Export the logo as a PNG so the background stays transparent.”
How to Use PNG
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn image file that keeps full quality and can have a see-through background.
Everyday word among designers, developers and general computer users. Written in capitals.
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
Export the logo as a _____ so the background stays transparent.
Etymology
An initialism of Portable Network Graphics.
Synonyms
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between PNG and JPEG?
PNG is lossless, so it keeps every pixel exactly as it was, which suits flat colour, text and sharp lines. JPEG discards fine detail to shrink the file, which suits photographs. PNG also supports transparency, so a logo can sit on any background, while ordinary JPEG cannot.
Why is a PNG file often so large?
Because nothing is thrown away. Lossless compression only removes genuine repetition, so a detailed photograph saved as PNG can be several times the size of the same photograph as a JPEG.
Does PNG support animation?
The base PNG format holds a single still image. A separate extension called APNG stores animated frames in a PNG file, and it is supported by most modern browsers, though not by every image tool.