Page speed tools keep suggesting "serve images in next-gen formats". Usually that means WebP. But JPG still works everywhere, so is switching worth the effort? For most websites, yes, with a few exceptions.
What WebP does better
WebP was designed for the web. Compared with JPG it offers:
- Smaller files at similar quality. Google's own comparison found lossy WebP files about 25–34% smaller than JPEGs of equivalent quality. Real savings depend on the image.
- Transparency. WebP can keep a transparent background, which JPG cannot. That makes it an alternative to large PNG logos and product cut-outs.
- Lossless mode. For screenshots and graphics, lossless WebP is usually smaller than PNG.
Every current major browser displays WebP, so visitors will not notice the difference except in loading time.
Where JPG is still the better choice
- Files people download. Email attachments, print services, marketplaces and older software accept JPG without question; some still reject WebP.
- Original photo archives. Keep the camera JPG or RAW as your master copy and create WebP versions for the site.
- Platforms that convert anyway. Many website builders and CDNs already create WebP from your uploads. Uploading WebP yourself then saves nothing.
A practical workflow
- Keep originals in JPG or PNG.
- Resize images to the largest size they appear on the page. This often saves more than changing the format.
- Convert to WebP: JPG to WebP for photos, PNG to WebP for graphics with transparency.
- If you must stay with JPG, run the files through Compress JPEG to remove unnecessary weight.
A quality setting of around 75–85% is a good starting point for photos in either format. Compare the result at full size before replacing images on a live site.
What about AVIF?
AVIF can compress even further than WebP and is supported by current versions of the major browsers. It is slower to encode and less widely accepted outside browsers, so WebP remains the easier default for most sites today. If your CMS or CDN can generate AVIF automatically, it is worth enabling.
Bottom line
Use WebP for images that are displayed on your pages, keep JPG for files people download or send elsewhere, and always resize before you convert.