Overview
This guide compares WebP and JPG across the most important criteria to help you choose the right format for your needs.
WebP offers 25-35% smaller files than JPG at equivalent quality, but JPG has better universal support.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Compression
WebP: WebP is 25-35% smaller than JPG at equivalent quality.
JPG: JPG has been optimized for decades but is less efficient than WebP.
Winner: WebP
Browser Support
WebP: WebP is supported by all modern browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari 14+).
JPG: JPG is supported by literally every device and application.
Winner: JPG
Transparency
WebP: WebP supports alpha channel transparency.
JPG: JPG does not support transparency.
Winner: WebP
Software Support
WebP: WebP has growing support in image editors (Photoshop, Lightroom).
JPG: JPG is supported by every image tool ever made.
Winner: JPG
Use Case
WebP: WebP is ideal for web optimization and reducing page load times.
JPG: JPG is better when compatibility with older software is needed.
Winner: Tie
How WebP and JPG Differ Technically
JPG compresses 8x8 blocks with a discrete cosine transform and quantization, a design from the early 1990s optimized for photographs.[3] WebP, defined by Google and standardized in RFC 9649, reuses intra-frame prediction techniques from the VP8 video codec: it predicts blocks from already-decoded neighbors before transform coding, and supports both lossy and lossless modes within a RIFF container.[1][2] This predictive step lets WebP remove more redundancy than JPG's block-isolated approach.
Compression, Alpha, and Fidelity
For comparable visual quality, WebP typically produces smaller files than baseline JPG, and unlike JPG it natively supports an alpha channel for transparency and a lossless mode.[1] JPG has no transparency support and is always lossy in its standard form, encoding in YCbCr with chroma subsampling.[4] WebP can also store animation, a capability JPG lacks entirely.[2]
Compatibility and When Each Wins
JPG's three-decade head start gives it universal support across every browser, camera, and image tool, making it the safest interchange format.[3] WebP is now supported by all major modern browsers and is favored for web delivery where its smaller payloads and transparency reduce page weight, though some older software still cannot read it.[1]
Convert Between WebP and JPG
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Convert Files NowFrequently Asked Questions
Is WebP better than JPG?
WebP achieves better compression than JPG at equivalent quality and adds transparency support. However, JPG has broader software compatibility.
Should I convert my website images to WebP?
Yes, converting to WebP can reduce image file sizes by 25-35% improving page load speed.
Do all browsers support WebP?
All modern browsers support WebP. Safari added support in 2020. Internet Explorer does not support WebP.
Can I use WebP in emails?
No, most email clients do not support WebP. Use JPG or PNG for email images.
Does Photoshop support WebP?
Yes, Photoshop CC 2021 and later support WebP natively.