Overview

Web performance is a big deal. Images are usually the heaviest resources on a page. WebP helps by delivering comparable quality at smaller sizes than legacy formats.

Benefits

  • Smaller files: Faster load, less bandwidth.
  • Transparency: Supports alpha like PNG.
  • Versatility: Lossy or lossless depending on your needs.

When to use WebP

  • Marketing pages and blogs with many photos.
  • E-commerce product galleries.
  • UI assets that don’t require SVG.

When to avoid

  • Print workflows that require strict formats.
  • Very old browser targets (intranets, kiosks).

At-a-glance comparison

WebP vs JPG vs PNG (quick view)
Format Compression Transparency Animation Typical use
WebP Lossy/Lossless Yes Yes (when encoded) Modern web delivery
JPG Lossy No No Photos (legacy/compat)
PNG Lossless Yes (alpha) No UI, graphics, logos

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FAQ

Should I serve only WebP?

Serve WebP with automatic fallbacks (PNG/JPG) for legacy clients. Many CMS/CDNs handle this negotiation for you.

Does WebP always look better than JPG?

Not always—compare at the same visual quality. WebP often yields smaller files for similar perceived quality, but review each asset.

What about SVG?

Use SVG for vector icons/illustrations—it scales perfectly and is often smaller than any bitmap.

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