WebP vs JPG: Which Image Format is Better for Your Website?
WebP promises smaller files and better quality than JPG — but should you switch? We break down the real differences and when to use each format.
The Short Answer
For website images in 2025, WebP is the better choice in almost every case. It produces files 25–35% smaller than JPG at the same visual quality, and browser support is now essentially universal.
But the full picture is more nuanced. Here's everything you need to know.
What is WebP?
WebP is an image format developed by Google in 2010. It uses more advanced compression algorithms than JPEG, achieving smaller file sizes without sacrificing quality.
WebP supports:
- Lossy compression (like JPG)
- Lossless compression (like PNG)
- Transparency (like PNG)
- Animation (like GIF)
In short: WebP can replace JPG, PNG, and GIF.
File Size Comparison
At the same visual quality (SSIM score), WebP is typically:
- 25–35% smaller than JPG for photographs
- 26% smaller than PNG for graphics with transparency
A 500KB JPG photo might be 320–375KB as WebP — a meaningful saving, especially across a page with multiple images.
Quality Comparison
At equivalent compression settings, WebP and JPG look nearly identical to the human eye. At very high compression (small file sizes), WebP tends to preserve more detail and produce fewer artifacts than JPG.
Browser Support in 2025
| Browser | WebP Support |
|---|---|
| Chrome | ✅ Since 2014 |
| Firefox | ✅ Since 2019 |
| Safari | ✅ Since 2020 |
| Edge | ✅ Since 2018 |
| Internet Explorer | ❌ Not supported |
IE market share is now below 1%. For all practical purposes, WebP support is universal.
When to Still Use JPG
- Sharing files with non-technical users — some people can't open WebP in Windows Photo Viewer or older apps
- Email attachments — email clients sometimes struggle with WebP
- Cameras and photography workflows — JPG remains the universal standard for camera output
When to Use WebP
- All images on your website
- Images uploaded to web-based tools
- Any context where you control the display environment (browser)
How to Convert JPG to WebP
Converting is instant and free. No quality is lost in the conversion process when you choose the right output settings.
Should You Convert Your Existing Website Images?
Yes — if you're building or rebuilding a site, use WebP from the start. If you have an existing site, batch-converting images to WebP is one of the highest-ROI performance improvements you can make.
The file size savings translate directly to faster load times, better Core Web Vitals scores, and improved SEO rankings.