Images · 2 min read
WebP vs JPG
WebP promises smaller files at the same quality, but not every app can open it. This guide explains when WebP is genuinely better and when JPG remains the safer choice.
Updated: November 2, 2026
What is WebP
WebP is an image format introduced by Google in 2010. It supports lossy and lossless compression, transparency and animation. Its main advantage is a smaller file size compared with JPG and PNG at similar quality.
For a website, that means faster page loads and less bandwidth usage. For users, it means a smoother experience on mobile connections.
Browser and app support
All current browsers support WebP. Very old versions of Internet Explorer, some office suites and older image editors may not. If you need to send a file to such an environment, convert it to JPG or PNG first.
Which one to choose
- Websites and apps: WebP with a JPEG fallback for older clients. This is the standard optimisation approach.
- Sending and printing: JPG or PNG. They open everywhere.
- Transparency: WebP or PNG. JPG cannot store transparency.
- Archives: keep the original in its source format and use WebP as the web version.
How to convert
Our JPG to WebP, PNG to WebP and WebP to JPG converters run in your browser: the file is not uploaded to the server. If the browser cannot handle WebP, server-side processing with sharp takes over.
Questions and answers
Do all browsers support WebP?
Current versions of Chrome, Firefox, Edge and Safari support WebP. Problems may appear in very old browsers and some office suites.
Is WebP smaller than JPG?
Usually yes: at comparable quality, a WebP file is often 25–35% smaller. The exact result depends on the image and compression settings.
Does WebP support transparency?
Yes, like PNG. When you convert WebP to JPG, transparency is lost and replaced by a white background.
Should I store photos as WebP?
For archives and print, JPG, PNG or TIFF are better. WebP is convenient for the web, where loading speed and transparency matter.