Choosing the right file format is critical for web performance. Let's compare the most common formats available today.
JPG (JPEG)
Pros: Universal compatibility. Every device and browser can open it.
Cons: No transparency support. Compression artifacts can be visible at low
quality.
Best for: Photographs with complex colors.
WEBP
Pros: Developed by Google specifically for the web. It supports transparency
(like PNG) and animation (like GIF) but is much smaller in size. Typically 30% smaller than
JPG.
Cons: Very old browsers (Internet Explorer) do not support it.
Best for: Modern websites requiring speed.
Which one should you use?
For 99% of web use cases in 2025, WEBP is the winner. It offers the best balance of quality and size. However, if you need to share images with people using offline software or old devices, JPG remains the safest choice.