PNG image files have many advantages over other image standards like GIF and JPEG, including:

• Higher compression rates PNG uses better image compression technology than GIF, allowing for smaller files that download more quickly
• Higher bit depths (more colors) PNG allows for 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24 and 32 bit images, smashing the 8-bit barrier
• A permanent, royalty-free license PNG is being developed by the W3C, and will always be a free and open standard
• Multiple layers of transparency PNG images allow for full alpha channel transparency, which makes moving images from one background to another easy
• Built-in gamma correction Users can see an image the way it was intended to be seen by selecting the gamma level intended for their monitor