Media formats determine how digital images, audio, video, metadata, and multiple streams are represented and stored. Choosing a format involves more than file size: compatibility, compression, quality, transparency, editing requirements, and delivery environment can all matter.
For video, it is particularly important to distinguish between a container and a codec. A container such as MP4 can hold video and audio streams encoded using different codecs.
Common Image Formats
| Format | Compression | Transparency | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPEG | Lossy | Usually no | Photographs and general-purpose web images. |
| PNG | Lossless | Yes | Graphics, screenshots, interfaces, and transparent artwork. |
| GIF | Limited-color image compression | Limited | Simple graphics and animation. |
| WebP | Lossy or lossless | Yes | Web delivery and general-purpose images. |
| AVIF | Lossy or lossless | Yes | Modern web and application image delivery. |
| SVG | Vector | Yes | Logos, icons, diagrams, and scalable graphics. |
| TIFF | Flexible | Possible | Scanning, publishing, imaging, and archival workflows. |
Common Video Containers
| Container | Typical Characteristics | Common Context |
|---|---|---|
| MP4 | Widely supported multimedia container. | Web, mobile, cameras, streaming, and general distribution. |
| WebM | Open multimedia container designed with web use in mind. | Web video and browser-based delivery. |
| Matroska (MKV) | Flexible container capable of holding multiple streams and metadata. | Local media libraries and archival-style workflows. |
| QuickTime (MOV) | Multimedia container associated with Apple media workflows. | Video production, editing, and camera workflows. |
Common Video Codecs
| Codec | General Role | Important Context |
|---|---|---|
| H.264 / AVC | Video compression | Very widely supported across devices, software, and services. |
| H.265 / HEVC | Video compression | Designed for higher compression efficiency than H.264, with licensing and compatibility considerations. |
| VP9 | Video compression | Open video codec widely associated with web video. |
| AV1 | Video compression | Modern open video codec designed for efficient video compression. |
Container vs Codec
An MP4 file is not itself a video codec. MP4 is a container that can hold media streams encoded using particular codecs. This is why two files can both use an .mp4 extension while having different compression characteristics, compatibility, or playback requirements.