Which file type allows you to have transparency?

The PNG file type is known for its ability to support transparency, which makes it an excellent choice for graphics that require a clear or see-through background. This is particularly important in motion graphics and compositing, where the need to overlay images seamlessly is common. PNG uses lossless compression, meaning it maintains image quality even after compression, and it supports various bit depths, allowing for different levels of transparency. This enables designers to create images with soft edges or complex shapes without solid backgrounds interrupting the visual flow.

In contrast, JPEG does not support transparency as it compresses the image in a way that discards some data to reduce file size, resulting in a solid background. BMP also lacks transparency support; it is primarily a bitmap format that does not include an alpha channel, which is necessary for transparency. Although GIF does allow for a single color transparency, it is limited because it can only handle one color as transparent, making it less versatile than PNG when it comes to complex transparency needs.