Quick Verdict
Use WebP when…
Use WebP for all web-served images where you control the delivery environment and your audience uses modern browsers. WebP is 25–35% smaller at equivalent quality.
Use JPG when…
Use JPG for email, print, software compatibility, and any context outside web browsers. JPG remains the universal raster image standard.
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WebP vs JPG: Feature Comparison
| Feature | WebP | JPG |
|---|---|---|
| File size at equivalent quality | 25–35% smaller than JPG | Baseline reference |
| Browser support | All major browsers since 2020 | Universal — every browser and app |
| Email client support | Poor — most email clients don't display WebP | Universal |
| Print workflow | Not suitable for print | Standard for print photography |
| Transparency | Full alpha channel support | None |
| Lossless mode | Available — lossless WebP | Not available (JPG is always lossy) |
| Software support | Modern apps; legacy software may not open WebP | Universal — every image application |
When WebP wins
- ✓File size at equivalent quality: 25–35% smaller than JPG
- ✓Browser support: All major browsers since 2020
- ✓Email client support: Poor — most email clients don't display WebP
When JPG wins
- ✓File size at equivalent quality: Baseline reference
- ✓Browser support: Universal — every browser and app
- ✓Email client support: Universal
Frequently asked questions
Is WebP replacing JPG?
For web delivery: effectively yes — modern web frameworks, CDNs, and tools automatically convert JPG to WebP for browsers that support it. For offline use and non-web contexts: JPG remains dominant because it's universally supported. The practical answer: JPG for storage and compatibility, WebP for web serving.
Can I open WebP files on Windows?
Windows 10 and 11: the Photos app and File Explorer thumbnails support WebP natively (since around 2019 updates). Modern Chrome, Edge, and Firefox display WebP. For older Windows: download the WebP codec extension from the Microsoft Store, or use a WebP-capable viewer like IrfanView or XnView.
How much smaller is WebP than JPG?
In practice: 25–35% smaller at equivalent visual quality in lossy mode. For a photo at JPG quality 80 (500 KB): equivalent WebP quality 80 is approximately 325–375 KB. For a portfolio of 1000 photos averaging 500 KB in JPG: switching to WebP saves 125–175 MB in total bandwidth per full portfolio load — significant for page speed and user experience.
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