WebP vs JPG: The Results Will Blow Your Mind
The thing is, in the world of images, those wonders keep on asking the same question: WebP or JPG – which one is better? If your website is loading slowly and you don’t know why, or if you want to make your pictures bright and sharp without losing your site’s performance, then this WebP vs JPG comparison may shock you.
However, let us dive into it and unveil how WebP is revolutionising the field whilst JPG is losing its ground.
What is JPG?
JPG (or JPEG) has been around since the year 1992, a simple, straightforward format that was widely used and trusted for years. It takes advantage of lossy compression, which in return shrinks the file size by removing some of the data. Hence JPGs are smaller than the original photos, but they can degrade gradually if you edit and resave them multiple times.
Its main selling point? Its compatibility. One can open JPGs everywhere from the oldest browsers to the latest CMS platforms. On the other hand, this is also the end of its safe haven.
What is WebP?
WebP is a new kind of picture format that is designed to make the Internet faster. It can do both lossy and lossless compression and also has features like transparency (a bit like PNG) and animation (like GIF), all from the same format.
Or, in simpler terms, WebP is a clever, lightweight, and cutting-edge format that gives more pictures of better quality in less space.
Here is what makes WebP different.
- Up to 35% smaller file sizes as compared to JPG of the same quality.
- One can use the alpha channel for transparency (like PNG).
- It makes the creation of the animated pictures possible without the file being as big as the GIFs.
- Helps with the website loading time as well as the Core Web Vitals.
| Feature | JPG | WebP |
|---|---|---|
| Compression Type | Lossy | Lossy + Lossless |
| File Size | Larger | Smaller (20–35% reduction) |
| Transparency | No | Yes |
| Animation | No | Yes |
| Browser Support | Universal | 96% of modern browsers |
| SEO Advantage | Moderate | Strong (boosts site speed) |
Example:
A 500 KB JPG image, when converted to WebP, has the file size reduced to about 320 KB with almost the same quality. Imagine doing that for dozens of images, and your website's loading time could decrease by several seconds, which is a great benefit to SEO and user experience.
Why WebP Matters for SEO
Google loves fast websites. The speed of the page directly influences the position in the search results, the percentage of visitors who leave the site quickly, and the number of sales or signups.
Switching to WebP can:
- Increase your PageSpeed Insights score.
- Lower the amount of server bandwidth used.
- Improve the performance on mobile devices, where every kilobyte is important.
- Boost user engagement because fast-loading pages are more likely to be visited for a longer time.
This is why the best-ranked websites, from blogs to eCommerce platforms, are switching to WebP for better SEO results.
When JPG Still Makes Sense
Even though WebP is better in most aspects, JPG is not completely out of the picture. It is still possible to use JPG when:
- The goal is to ensure that the content is compatible with old browsers.
- The content management system or hosting service is not fully compatible with WebP (although most are nowadays).
- The use of tools or email templates that only accept JPG.
How to Convert JPG to WebP
- It is easier than you think to move to WebP. The options are to:
- Use online converters such as Squoosh or TinyPNG.
- Get plugins like WebP Express or Imagify for WordPress.
- Run command-line tools like cwebp for batch conversions.
A lot of modern CMS platforms and CDNs (like Cloudflare and ImageKit) that support WebP browsers automatically redirect the WebP images; no manual effort is required.
Final Verdict: WebP Wins
If your main concern is performance, SEO, and keeping up with the latest technology, then WebP is the clear winner.
It’s lighter, faster, and smarter – the kind of innovation the web of today should have. JPG might have been the standard for digital images for decades, but the future is definitely with WebP.
So next time you are going to upload an image, don't forget:
💡 Converting from JPG to WebP could be the easiest way to upgrade your website so that it loads faster, ranks higher, and looks better.
In brief:
👉 WebP = Speed + Quality + SEO Power
👉 JPG = Compatibility + Simplicity
Now that you understand the difference, it is time to go ahead with the change; your visitors (and Google) will be happy.
