mng

MNG, or Multiple-image Network Graphics, is a bitmap graphics file format designed as an extension of the PNG standard to store animated sequences and other image collections. It was developed in the late 1990s by members of the PNG Development Group as a more capable alternative to the older animated GIF format.

MNG uses a chunk-based structure similar to PNG but adds a container for multiple images, timing and disposal instructions, and optional interactivity. A MNG file can contain several image frames, with per-frame delays, blend and disposal methods, and the ability to update or replace portions of images between frames. It supports full-color images, alpha channels, and metadata, and can include animation control data, color management, and transparency settings across frames.

Adoption and status: Despite its technical capabilities, MNG never gained broad support in browsers or graphic viewers. As a result, it remained a niche format, overshadowed by GIF for simple animation and by APNG—an alternative that integrates animation within PNG—for higher compatibility. Today, MNG is considered largely obsolete for web use, though legacy software and some niche workflows may still recognize or preserve MNG files.

See also: PNG, APNG, GIF. For historical context, the format is associated with the PNG Development Group and the broader PNG ecosystem.