WebP vs JPG: Which Image Format Is Better?

The short answer

If the image will be shown on a website, WebP is usually the better choice, because it delivers similar quality in a smaller file. If the image will be emailed, printed, uploaded to a form or opened in older software, JPG is the safer choice.

Illustration of a typical saving. Real results depend on the image and the quality you choose.

WebP vs JPG compared

File size and quality

Google reports lossy WebP files about 25 to 34% smaller than JPEG at equivalent quality (see Google’s WebP documentation). The saving varies by image, and at very low quality settings the two formats show different artifacts: JPG tends to look blocky, while WebP tends to look smoother and softer.

The only reliable test is to convert your own image and compare the sizes, which our tools show next to every result.

Compatibility

Every current major browser displays WebP, so web visitors are rarely a problem. The gaps are outside the browser: older photo editors, some email clients and many print or upload services still expect JPG.

Which should you use?

How to switch between them

Use JPG to WebP to make WebP copies of your photos, and WebP to JPG when you need a JPG again. Both run in your browser, so nothing is uploaded.

Mistakes to avoid

• Converting at a very low quality to chase a small file.
• Converting the same image back and forth, which loses quality each time.
• Deleting your originals. Always keep the source file.

Does WebP help SEO?

Search engines do not rank a page higher just because it uses WebP. The benefit is indirect: smaller images help pages load faster, and page speed is part of the experience that search engines look at. Faster pages also keep visitors from leaving. Use WebP where it makes your pages lighter, and always give images descriptive file names and alt text.

Using WebP in WordPress

WordPress has accepted WebP uploads in the media library since version 5.8, so you can convert your photos with JPG to WebP and upload the results directly. WordPress then creates its usual smaller sizes from your upload. Keep the JPG originals outside the media library in case you need them later.

What happens at low quality

At very low settings the two formats fail in different ways. JPG shows blocky squares and ringing around edges, while WebP tends to smooth detail into a soft blur. Neither is good, so aim for a quality where you cannot see the difference at normal viewing size.

Run your own test

1. Pick three typical images from your site.
2. Convert each one with JPG to WebP at 80%.
3. Write down the original and new sizes shown for each file.
4. View both versions at full size and compare the details.
5. Decide on a quality setting you will use for every image.

Transparency and animation

WebP supports transparent backgrounds and animation. JPG supports neither. If you need a transparent image, the real comparison is WebP vs PNG, which we cover in WebP vs PNG.

Quick decision checklist

• Is the image for a website? Use WebP.
• Will it be printed or sent as an attachment? Use JPG.
• Does it need transparency? Use WebP or PNG.
• Not sure? Keep both and use the one each place accepts.

Different kinds of photos

Photos with smooth areas, such as skies and skin, usually show the biggest WebP savings. Very detailed or noisy photos shrink less. Test one image of each kind from your site before you decide on a quality setting for everything.

Why mobile visitors benefit

Mobile visitors often use slower connections and pay for data. Lighter images load sooner and use less of their allowance. If most of your traffic comes from phones, the case for WebP is even stronger.

Our recommendation

Publish WebP on your website, keep JPG for sharing and printing, and keep your originals. Use the converters in both directions, and see how to save images as JPG instead of WebP if you meet WebP files you cannot use.

Frequently Asked Questions