Compare WebP, JPG, and PNG for photos, screenshots, transparency, SEO, file size, and web performance.
Choosing an image format is a performance decision, a quality decision, and sometimes an accessibility decision. The wrong format can make a page heavier than it needs to be. The right format can cut file size dramatically without visible quality loss.
The common web image formats all have a place:
The practical question is not which format is "best." It is which format is best for this image.
JPG is a lossy format designed for photographs and complex images with many colors. It is widely supported and easy to work with.
Use JPG for:
Avoid JPG for:
JPG compression can create artifacts around sharp lines and text. If your image contains UI text, compare it carefully against WebP or PNG.
PNG is lossless. It preserves crisp edges and supports transparency. That makes it useful for UI assets and graphics.
Use PNG for:
Avoid PNG for:
PNG photos can become enormous. If there is no transparency and the image is photographic, try JPG or WebP.
WebP supports both lossy and lossless compression, transparency, and animation. It often produces smaller files than JPG or PNG at similar visual quality.
Use WebP for:
WebP is a strong default for many websites, especially when generated from source images during build or upload.
Use a WebP Converter or Image Format Converter to compare output before changing a large library.
SVG is not a replacement for photos. It is a vector format for shapes, icons, logos, and diagrams. When an image is truly vector, SVG can be much sharper and smaller than raster formats.
Use SVG for:
Do not use SVG for regular photos.
Blog hero photo: WebP or optimized JPG.
Product photo: WebP for delivery, high-quality source retained elsewhere.
Logo: SVG first, PNG if raster fallback is needed.
Screenshot with text: PNG or high-quality WebP after inspection.
Social media image: JPG, PNG, or WebP depending on platform requirements.
Transparent sticker: PNG or WebP with transparency.
Simple icon: SVG.
Format conversion is not enough if the image dimensions are too large.
A 5000-pixel-wide image displayed at 600 pixels is wasteful even if it is WebP. Resize images to practical display sizes, then compress or convert.
Use an Image Resizer before format conversion when source files are oversized.
Smaller is not always better. A badly compressed image can damage trust, especially on ecommerce, portfolio, documentation, and product pages.
Inspect:
Use the smallest file that still looks right in context.
Image format affects SEO indirectly through performance and user experience. Faster images can improve page experience, reduce abandonment, and make pages easier to crawl.
But format alone does not solve everything. Also use:
Format is one piece of the image SEO stack.
Ask:
That decision tree solves most everyday cases.
Use JPG for broad photo compatibility, PNG for transparency and crisp detail, and WebP as a modern delivery format for smaller web images.
Do not choose formats by habit. Choose them by content, quality, browser needs, and performance budget.
Akousa