WebP vs JPG: When to Use Which Format
If you've ever optimized images for a website, you've hit this decision: WebP or JPG? WebP is a modern format created by Google that typically produces files 25–35% smaller than an equivalent JPG. JPG is the decades-old standard that every device, app, and email client understands. Neither is "always right" — the answer depends on what you're building.
WebP vs JPG at a glance
| WebP | JPG | |
|---|---|---|
| File size | 25–35% smaller | Larger for the same quality |
| Transparency | Yes | No |
| Animation | Yes | No |
| Compatibility | All modern browsers | Everywhere, including legacy |
| Best for | Web performance | Universal sharing & print |
When to use WebP
- Website images. Smaller files mean faster page loads and better Core Web Vitals, which Google uses in ranking.
- Product photos and thumbnails where you control the codebase and can serve WebP to modern browsers.
- Images with transparency that would otherwise force you into the heavier PNG format.
When to stick with JPG
- Email attachments — some email clients and corporate systems still mishandle WebP.
- Legacy software, CMS uploads, or print workflows that require JPG or TIFF.
- Sharing with non-technical people who might use older viewers.
How to convert between WebP and JPG
- Open JPG to WebP (or WebP to JPG for the reverse).
- Drop in your image file.
- Adjust the quality slider — for WebP output, 80% quality is usually the sweet spot between size and detail.
- Download the converted file. Conversion happens locally, so your photos never get uploaded.
A practical rule of thumb
For anything that will live on the web, convert to WebP. For anything that will be shared as a file — email, chat, older tools — keep or convert to JPG. When in doubt, keep a JPG original and serve WebP copies on your site.
Frequently asked questions
Is WebP quality worse than JPG?
At the same file size, WebP usually looks better than JPG because its compression is more efficient. At the same quality setting, WebP is simply smaller.
Do all browsers support WebP?
All modern browsers — Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari — support WebP. Only very old browsers (pre-2020) need a fallback.