Quick Answer
If you're adding images to a website today, WebP should be your default. But JPG and PNG still have specific roles — read on for exactly when to use each.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | JPG | PNG | WebP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compression type | Lossy | Lossless | Both (lossy & lossless) |
| Typical file size | Medium | Large | Smallest |
| Photo quality | Good | Perfect | Good–Excellent |
| Transparency (alpha) | No | Yes | Yes |
| Animation | No | No (use APNG) | Yes |
| Browser support | Universal | Universal | All modern browsers |
| Best for | Photos, web images | Logos, icons, screenshots | Most web images |
JPG (JPEG) — The Workhorse
JPG has been the dominant image format on the web since the 1990s. It uses lossy compression — meaning it permanently discards some image data to achieve smaller file sizes — but does so in a way that's largely invisible to the human eye at quality settings above 70–75%.
Use JPG when:
- You need maximum browser compatibility (including very old browsers and email clients)
- You're working with photographs and don't need transparency
- File size matters more than pixel-perfect quality
- You're sending images via email or messaging apps that don't support WebP
Don't use JPG when:
- Your image needs a transparent background — JPG has no transparency support at all
- Your image contains text, sharp geometric shapes, or flat colours — these show JPG compression artefacts clearly
- You need to edit and re-save repeatedly — each save re-applies lossy compression, degrading quality cumulatively
Every time you save a JPG, the lossy compression applies again. Opening a JPG, making a minor edit, and saving it introduces another round of compression degradation. Always keep your originals in a lossless format (PNG or the camera's RAW format) and export to JPG only for final delivery.
PNG — When Quality Is Non-Negotiable
PNG uses lossless compression — the decompressed image is pixel-for-pixel identical to the original. It's the right choice when quality cannot be compromised, or when you need transparency.
Use PNG when:
- You need a transparent background (logos on coloured backgrounds, icons, UI elements)
- Your image contains text, logos, or sharp geometric shapes
- You're capturing screenshots — text renders perfectly in PNG
- You need to edit and re-save without quality loss
Don't use PNG when:
- You're working with photographs — PNG will produce files several times larger than JPG for equivalent visual quality
- File size is important and the image doesn't need transparency — use WebP instead
WebP — The Modern Default
WebP was developed by Google and released in 2010, but only achieved universal browser support around 2020. It supports both lossy and lossless compression, transparency, and animation in a single format.
The headline advantage: WebP achieves roughly 25–35% smaller file sizes than JPG at equivalent visual quality. For a website serving thousands of images daily, this translates directly into faster page loads, lower bandwidth costs, and better Core Web Vitals scores.
Use WebP when:
- You're adding any image to a modern website — it should be your default
- You need transparency but also want smaller files than PNG
- You're building a site with performance as a priority
WebP caveats:
- Not supported in Internet Explorer (but IE has under 1% global usage as of 2026)
- Not all image editing software exports WebP natively — though browser-based tools like Private Image Compressor can output WebP
- Email clients often don't support WebP — use JPG for email attachments
- Use WebP for all website images — hero images, product photos, blog images
- Use PNG for logos, icons, and anything needing transparency where WebP isn't supported
- Use JPG as a fallback for email and legacy system compatibility
- Use the HTML
<picture>element to serve WebP with a JPG fallback for older browser support
What About AVIF and HEIC?
AVIF is a newer format that achieves even better compression than WebP — potentially 50% smaller than JPG at equivalent quality. Browser support is growing (Chrome, Firefox, and recent Safari all support it) but it's not yet universal enough to use without fallbacks. Worth watching for future use.
HEIC is Apple's format used for iPhone photos. It offers excellent compression but has poor web browser support. Convert HEIC to JPG or WebP before using on the web.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use JPG or PNG for website images?
For photographs, JPG (or better, WebP). For logos, icons, and images needing transparency, PNG. For most new websites in 2026, WebP is the best choice as it outperforms both in file size efficiency.
Is WebP better than JPG?
Yes, for web use. WebP achieves 25–35% smaller files at equivalent visual quality, also supports transparency, and has full modern browser support. The only reason to choose JPG over WebP today is compatibility with older software or email clients.
Can I convert JPG to WebP?
Yes — browser-based tools including Private Image Compressor can output WebP from JPG or PNG inputs. The conversion involves re-compressing the image, so start from the highest quality original available.
Does PNG support transparency?
Yes — PNG supports full alpha channel transparency, which allows images to have transparent or partially transparent areas. JPG does not support transparency at all; WebP also supports transparency.