JPG vs WebP
How do JPG and WebPcompare? Here's everything you need to know to choose the right format — and how to convert between them.
.jpg
Full guide →Joint Photographic Experts Group
JPG (also known as JPEG) is the most widely used image format for photographs and complex images. It uses lossy compression to significantly reduce file size while maintaining acceptable visual quality.
.webp
Full guide →Web Picture Format
WebP is a modern image format developed by Google that provides superior compression for images on the web. It supports both lossy and lossless compression, transparency, and animation — all in one format.
| Specification | JPG | WebP |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Joint Photographic Experts Group | Web Picture Format |
| Extension | .jpg | .webp |
| MIME type | image/jpeg | image/webp |
| Category | Image | Image |
| Developer | Joint Photographic Experts Group | |
| Year introduced | 1992 | 2010 |
| Compression | Lossy | Lossy |
JPG advantages
- Very small file sizes for photographs
- Universally supported everywhere
- Adjustable compression quality
- Ideal for web and email sharing
JPG limitations
- Lossy compression — quality degrades with each save
- No transparency support
- Not suitable for text or sharp-edge graphics
- Artifacts visible at high compression
WebP advantages
- 25-35% smaller than JPG at equivalent quality
- Supports transparency like PNG
- Supports animation like GIF
- Both lossy and lossless modes available
WebP limitations
- Not supported by some older browsers
- Limited support in desktop editing software
- Less universal than JPG or PNG
- Maximum dimension of 16383x16383 pixels
Which should you use?
WebP is the clear winner for web use — smaller files at the same quality. But JPG has universal compatibility, making it safer for email, print, and legacy systems.
Best uses for JPG
Best uses for WebP
Convert between JPG and WebP
Need to switch formats? Convert for free with SquishConvert.