PNG, WebP and SVG keep transparent backgrounds with smooth edges. Saving as JPG replaces transparency with a solid color, usually white.
How alpha transparency works
Formats with transparency add an alpha channel to each pixel's red, green and blue values. Alpha 0 is invisible, 255 is solid, and in-between values are partly see-through, letting cutout edges blend smoothly.
Which formats support transparency
- PNG: full alpha. The safe default.
- WebP: full alpha, smaller files. Best for the web.
- SVG: transparent wherever nothing is drawn.
- GIF: on/off per pixel only, so cutouts get jagged edges.
- JPG: no alpha channel. Flattening is permanent; converting back to PNG does not restore it.
Where transparency gets lost
Messaging apps, email clients, social platforms and copy-paste may flatten images or convert them to JPG. Insert the PNG file directly and check a corner on a dark background.
Halos and fringes
Objects shot on white often keep a pale fringe after background removal. Cut slightly inside the edge and preview on light and dark backgrounds. The editor's checkerboard marks transparent areas.
Making transparent images
The background remover has erase and restore brushes for edges. The circle crop tool makes round images with transparent corners. Save the master as PNG, WebP or SVG. Export a JPG copy only when a form requires one.