web design standards

Hi,
I'm need to web design and i'd like to know what format is best used for online graphics is it jpeg or gif? I've also been reading the PNG is now being used as the best format. Any input on this would be great.
Thanks,

This depends, for small graphics such as headers and curved corners then use .gif becuase they have a small file size. for larger graphics such as a photo of your company then use .jpeg because it is better quality. If the whole point of the site is some particular image, say if your an artist or something then use .png because it is the best quality but beware becuase .png files are massive.

well, I don't have any links on me but you can do a web search- google, to look up each format. Usually these types of websites also expand on pros and cons of usage.

Off the top of my head though, I can offer this info

jpeg, jpg
Use this format for photo quality images. If you have actual photos, save them as a jpeg. jpeg images are best suited for actual images, both over gif and png files. In my experience jpg can compress better and look better than a png image of equal size.

Gif
Gif images are useful still for cartoony type images. Where you don't need too many colors. Of if you have animations gif is the format you want to use. If the cartoony image is not animated consider using png for the file format, as png can often times compress smaller thana gif file can.

png
Png is a great format. You can use it for transparency, it can compress to a really small size. Often times images that look good in gif format can be compressed further in png format and still look better than a gif file could.

I can't think of anything else, but a google search should yield a wealth of info

[QUOTE ="the tree"] but beware becuase .png files are massive. [/QUOTE]

Er.. png files are very small, and compress much better than gifs & possibly jpegs*

One drawback of pngs is that older browsers may not support them. Internet Explorer is especially bad in that respect (what are the odds of IE crapping out?!?). Even the latest version of IE (6 SP 1 or whatever) don't support more advanced png features like alpha-blending and transparency.

Quick Summary:
1) If you need transparency, and care about IE users, stick with gif.
2) If you don't mind losing data on photos, use jpeg. (Note - "losing data" is not supposed to scare you here, it's just a consequence of the trade-off between file size and image quality).
3) If anyones going to be using your site on an old browser, stick with gif/jpeg. (I think "old browser" here means something like IE3/NN4.01 and if anyones still using these, they should be shot).
4) Otherwise use png, it is the best format.

Cheers,
Simon

*jpegs are lossy - basically, the save every N-th (2nd?) pixel and extrapolate between them when viewed. Pngs aren't lossy. Whether a jpeg is smaller than a png of any image comes down to how much data you want to lose from your jpeg.

Just found this. Not a ton of info, but it sums up the GIF/PNG differences quite well.
http://www.w3.org/QA/Tips/png-gif

-Jaeger