WebP vs JPG vs PNG: Which Format Should You Use?

Choosing the right image format can significantly impact your website's performance. Let's compare the most common formats and when to use each one.

JPG (JPEG): The Classic Choice

JPG has been the standard for web photos for decades. It uses lossy compression to achieve small file sizes, making it ideal for photographs and complex images with many colors.

Best for: Photographs, complex images
Compression: Lossy (adjustable quality)
Transparency: Not supported
Browser support: Universal
File size: Good compression

PNG: For Transparency and Graphics

PNG is perfect for images requiring transparency or sharp edges, like logos, icons, and graphics. It uses lossless compression, preserving all image data at the cost of larger file sizes.

Best for: Logos, icons, graphics with transparency
Compression: Lossless
Transparency: Full alpha channel support
Browser support: Universal
File size: Larger than JPG

WebP: The Modern Alternative

WebP is a modern format developed by Google that offers superior compression compared to both JPG and PNG. It supports both lossy and lossless compression, as well as transparency.

Best for: All types of web images
Compression: Both lossy and lossless
Transparency: Supported
Browser support: 95%+ (all modern browsers)
File size: 25-35% smaller than JPG

Which Format Should You Use?

Use WebP as your primary format for all images when possible
Provide JPG fallback for older browsers
Use PNG only when you need transparency and can't use WebP
Consider AVIF for even better compression if browser support isn't critical

Image Craft Hub makes it easy to convert between all these formats, allowing you to experiment and find the best balance between quality and file size for your specific needs.

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