Image & Graphics Glossary

A class of data compression that reduces file size by permanently removing some data. Commonly used in JPG files to create small image sizes for web use.

An additional channel in an image file that represents the transparency levels. PNG and WebP support alpha channels, allowing for transparent backgrounds.

Images defined by mathematical paths (lines and curves) rather than pixels. These can be scaled to any size without losing quality.

A modern image format developed by Google that provides superior lossless and lossy compression for images on the web, often 30% smaller than JPG/PNG.

The proportional relationship between an image's width and its height. Common ratios include 4:3, 16:9, and 1:1 (square).

Metadata stored in image files that includes technical details like camera settings, date/time, and sometimes GPS location. Can be a privacy risk.