WebP is a modern image format developed by Google specifically to make the web faster. It provides superior compression for images on the web, meaning smaller file sizes than JPG without a noticeable drop in quality.

The Key Differences

File Size

This is WebP's primary advantage. On average, WebP images are 25% to 34% smaller than comparable JPG images at the same quality level. For a website with many images, this translates to significantly faster page load times and reduced bandwidth costs.

Compression Type

  • JPG: Only supports lossy compression (discards data to reduce size).
  • WebP: Supports both lossy and lossless compression. Lossless WebP is often smaller than PNG.

Transparency

  • JPG: Does not support transparency. The background must be a solid color.
  • WebP: Supports transparency (an alpha channel) in both lossy and lossless modes. This makes WebP a replacement for both JPG (photographs) and PNG (transparent graphics).

Animation

  • JPG: Does not support animation.
  • WebP: Supports animation, acting as a much more efficient alternative to GIF.

When to Use WebP

For Websites and Apps: You should almost always use WebP (or AVIF, a newer format) for images served on websites. The file size savings directly improve SEO and user experience by reducing load times.

When to Stick with JPG

Despite WebP's advantages, JPG is not obsolete. You should use JPG when:

  1. Maximum Compatibility is Required: If you are emailing an image to someone, sharing it on a platform that doesn't fully support WebP, or saving it to a USB drive for a photo printing kiosk, JPG is the universally recognized standard.
  2. Offline Editing: Not all desktop image viewers or older photo editing software support WebP natively.
  3. Digital Photography: Digital cameras and smartphones typically save photos as JPG (or HEIC/RAW), not WebP.

Browser Support for WebP

As of 2026, WebP is supported by all modern web browsers, including Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge, and mobile browsers. The lack of browser support is no longer a reason to avoid WebP.

Converting Between JPG and WebP

Because WebP is primarily a web format, you might often download an image from a website only to find it's a .webp file, and your desktop software refuses to open it.

You can easily convert these files using an Image Converter.

  • WebP to JPG: Converts the file into a universally supported format, though the file size will usually increase.
  • JPG to WebP: Great for preparing images before uploading them to your website.

Related guides: JPG vs PNG · What is a WebP File?