Glossary
What is PNG?
MarkdownWhat it is
PNG keeps every pixel exactly. It compresses without losing detail and can store an alpha channel.
Why it matters on a Mac
Screenshots are saved as PNG by default in macOS. For photos, PNG files can be several times larger than JPEG.
How to check or change it on macOS
Select a file in Finder and press Command-I to see its Kind. In Preview, File > Export lets you pick another format.
How Toolbox handles it
Remove Background saves PNG cutouts so transparent areas are preserved. Convert Images can write and read PNG, and Extract Frames can save video stills as PNG.
Frequently asked questions
Is PNG better than JPEG?
For graphics and transparency yes. For photos JPEG is smaller.
Is PNG lossless?
Yes.
Why are my screenshots so large?
PNG keeps all detail, so large or detailed screens make big files.
Ask AI about this
