Why convert JPG to WebP for your website
Images are often the heaviest part of a web page. Smaller images cut loading time and data use, and loading speed is part of how Google judges page experience.
WebP uses newer compression than JPG, so at similar visual quality the file is usually smaller. How much smaller depends on the picture. Busy, detailed photos shrink less than smooth ones, such as a clear sky or a plain studio backdrop.
Picture a shop with 40 product photos straight from a camera. Converting them to WebP at a sensible quality makes each category page lighter without a visible change.
Choosing the right quality setting
| Quality | Good for |
|---|---|
| 90 to 100% | Portfolio pieces, product zoom, photography |
| 75 to 89% | Blog posts, shop listings, most web pages |
| 50 to 74% | Thumbnails and background images |
Test one image at two settings and compare them at the size they will appear on your page. If you cannot spot a difference, keep the smaller file.
Pixel size matters as much as quality. A 4000 pixel photo shown in an 800 pixel column wastes bandwidth, so use Resize Image first. WebP also cannot be wider or taller than 16383 pixels, which matters for very long panoramas.
When it is better to keep JPG
WebP is great on the web, but JPG is still the safer choice for printing, email attachments and older desktop software. Some online forms and photo labs still reject WebP. Keep your original JPG files as a backup.
If someone cannot open a WebP image you sent, the WebP to JPG converter turns it back. For logos and graphics with transparency, start from the PNG and use PNG to WebP instead.
Check your platform before converting by hand. Some CMS setups and image plugins already create WebP versions automatically.