Which image file format supports transparency and is commonly used on the web?

Which image file format supports transparency and is commonly used on the web?

• A. JPEG
• B. PNG
• C. TIFF
• D. GIF

Answer: (B)

When images need see-through areas, you want a format that gives you per-pixel control over transparency. PNG includes an alpha channel, so each pixel can be fully opaque, fully transparent, or anywhere in between. That lets edges stay smooth and details stay crisp, which is ideal for logos, icons, and images placed over diverse backgrounds on web pages. PNG also uses lossless compression, so you don’t lose quality when saving or editing. JPEG, on the other hand, cannot handle transparency at all, so any see-through areas would have to be filled with a solid color. TIFF can support transparency in some scenarios, but it isn’t commonly used for web delivery because it’s large and not as universally supported by browsers. GIF does offer transparency, but only as one fully transparent color and it’s limited to 256 colors, which isn’t suitable for most modern web graphics. So, PNG is the best choice for transparency on the web.

When images need see-through areas, you want a format that gives you per-pixel control over transparency. PNG includes an alpha channel, so each pixel can be fully opaque, fully transparent, or anywhere in between. That lets edges stay smooth and details stay crisp, which is ideal for logos, icons, and images placed over diverse backgrounds on web pages. PNG also uses lossless compression, so you don’t lose quality when saving or editing.

JPEG, on the other hand, cannot handle transparency at all, so any see-through areas would have to be filled with a solid color. TIFF can support transparency in some scenarios, but it isn’t commonly used for web delivery because it’s large and not as universally supported by browsers. GIF does offer transparency, but only as one fully transparent color and it’s limited to 256 colors, which isn’t suitable for most modern web graphics.

So, PNG is the best choice for transparency on the web.