In the internet age, the distribution of images is extremely common across all sites. Anyone who strives to be internet fluent should recognize the need to know how to share images.
Over the past few decades, there are two common formats for sharing, posting, sending, and creating images: GIFs and PNGs. Do you know t\how to work both of these essential file types?
Now let’s take a look at everything you need to know about GIFs and PNGs and their differences. Here is a rundown on GIF vs PNG, what they actually are, and their origins.
After that, we’ll answer the important question you have probably asked yourself: should I use a GIF or a PNG?
What Are GIFs?
Both terms are, of course, acronyms of more complicated words. GIF stands for Graphics Interchange Format. While GIFs are great for animation and short clips, they lack strong and convertible coloring at times.
GIFs are really the “old and trusty way” to share files over the internet. They convert extremely well across numerous formats. The Graphic Interchange Format was developed in 1987 and has had two eras of prosperity.
After losing some appeal due to newer and higher-quality options such as PNG in the early 2000s, GIFs have enjoyed a second life utilized heavily within social media apps like Twitter.
What Are PNGs?
Mimicking the rise of GIFs, PNGs are also a technological achievement and a great option for image files. Also known as Portable Network Graphics, PNGs became common just at the turn of the century around 1998-1999.
PNG has color and brightness management and is superior to GIFs in that area. The files compress up to 25 percent better when sent. PNGs are better for creating images from scratch.
Unfortunately, PNGs do not support animation as GIFs do. But the advanced color is evident with PNGs as it supports thousands of more shades than GIFs (less than 300 colors).
Overall, PNGs are a slightly newer method and are more-advanced than GIFs, but this means that they might not work as well for older images and links as GIFs do.
Similarities of GIF vs PNG
Both PNGs and GIFs have been designed in the internet age to better share images and information. Since they are both great options, their use across the internet is split. That means it is important to be able to convert images between the two formats.
These two image management systems both are used for about 25 percent of files sent over the internet. JPEGs also are significant and are used over 40 percent of the time, making most of the market one of these three.
You can identify both by checking the file extension at the end of a file name. It should be listed at the tail end after a period. GIFs are sometimes spelled as “.gfa” instead.
Uploading An Image Online
You may need to upload or send a GIF or PNG for numerous reasons. As an assignment for school or work, you might need images. Most of the websites on the internet have carefully orchestrated ways to insert both of these file types when they publish pages since images are so essential.
PNGs and GIFs are very commonly shared over social media sites for personal use. Or that could even be for business if you are a member of the media. Anything from linking a URL to an image on a homepage to sending a gif by text is manipulating these images.
Now that you know how PNGs and GIFs are similar and different you can decide which one is better to use. But actually, the answer is both. It completely depends on the situation, as some instances call for a GIF and some for use of a PNG.
What factors are at play when it comes to deciding whether to use a PNG or GIF?
When to Use a PNG
There are a ton of PNG benefits with any image type or situation. As covered above, PNGs offer many of the advantages of GIFs as well as improving on many of their aspects.
Use a PNG for most situations, especially when you need clear and sharp graphics. Unless animation is involved, feel secure always using PNG.
The best thing about PNGs is that they are nearly as small as GIFs but with all the added benefits of the color and picture still included.
When to Use a GIF
Once again, the question of animation use is a crucial factor in making this determination. Anytime you are using animation, or any moving image, you should use GIF not PNG to send or post a file.
Another time to use GIF is when you are dealing with limitations on the size of and space for the image. GIF files are smaller than PNG or even JPEG files.
But if you are asking yourself, “should I use a GIF?”, when any of these factors are at play, steer clear: a need for photo-quality images with a range of colors, or a need to edit the image after sending/posting. If you plan on printing the image later on, don’t use a GIF.
Converting a GIF to a PNG
You may be wondering how to convert between the two image file types. There are two ways: you can convert a file manually between the two, which can be tricky. You can do this within a Word document or Paintshop.
An easier way is to utilize one of the many online sites that can convert the file for you.
Now You Know
For anyone who is online a lot, it is in their best interest to know GIFs and PNGs and how they work. Perhaps most important is to understand the differences between GIF vs PNG and how to convert pictures between the two.
For more helpful articles on file conversion, check out the rest of our blog!