WebP vs PNG vs JPG – Which Image Format Is Best for Websites in 2025?
Images play a critical role in modern websites. From hero banners and product photos to icons and blog illustrations, images influence how users perceive a website and how fast it loads. In 2025, website performance, user experience, and SEO are more important than ever. One of the most overlooked factors affecting all three is image format selection.
Many website owners still upload images without thinking about formats, often relying on PNG or JPG by habit. However, with newer formats like WebP becoming widely supported, choosing the right image format can significantly improve page speed, reduce bandwidth usage, and boost Core Web Vitals scores.
In this article, we will deeply compare WebP vs PNG vs JPG, understand their strengths and weaknesses, and help you decide which image format is best for your website in 2025.
Why Image Format Matters for Websites
Before comparing formats, it’s important to understand why image format choice matters.
Images usually account for 50–70% of a webpage’s total size. Large or unoptimized images slow down page loading, increase bounce rate, and negatively impact SEO. Google has clearly stated that page speed and Core Web Vitals are ranking factors, making image optimization essential.
Choosing the right image format helps:
- Reduce page size
- Improve loading speed
- Enhance mobile performance
- Lower data usage
- Improve SEO and user experience
If you have read my previous article on Core Web Vitals where I have already explained how loading speed affects LCP, CLS, and INP, then you know how Image formats directly influence these metrics, especially Largest Contentful Paint (LCP).
Overview of Popular Image Formats
Let’s briefly introduce the three most commonly used image formats on the web.
JPG (or JPEG)
JPG is one of the oldest and most widely used image formats. It uses lossy compression, which reduces file size by removing some image data.
PNG
PNG is known for its lossless compression and transparent background support. It is commonly used for logos, icons, and graphics.
WebP
WebP is a modern image format developed by Google. It supports both lossy and lossless compression, along with transparency and animation.
Choosing the right image format is only one step. Learn how formats, compression, and resizing work together in our image optimization guide for faster websites.
JPG: Strengths and Weaknesses
Advantages of JPG
- Small File Size for Photos
JPG is excellent for photographs and complex images with many colors. It can significantly reduce file size compared to PNG. - Universal Browser Support
JPG works on all browsers, devices, and operating systems without any compatibility issues. - Easy to Edit and Export
Almost all image editing tools support JPG, making it beginner-friendly.
Disadvantages of JPG
- Loss of Quality
Since JPG uses lossy compression, image quality degrades every time you compress or re-save the image. - No Transparency
JPG does not support transparent backgrounds, which limits its use for logos and UI elements. - Not Ideal for Text-Based Graphics
Text, sharp edges, and icons may appear blurry or pixelated.
When to Use JPG
- Blog post images
- Photography
- Background images
- Product photos where transparency is not required
If you frequently publish blog content, JPG can still be useful, but it should always be compressed properly using an image compression tool before uploading.
PNG: Strengths and Weaknesses
Advantages of PNG
- Lossless Image Quality
PNG preserves image quality even after compression, making it ideal for detailed graphics. - Transparency Support
PNG supports transparent backgrounds, which is essential for logos, icons, and overlays. - Sharp Text and Edges
Text and line art remain crisp and clear in PNG format.
Disadvantages of PNG
- Large File Size
PNG images are often much larger than JPG and WebP, which can slow down websites. - Poor Performance for Large Images
Using PNG for full-width images or banners can severely impact page speed. - Not Ideal for Photos
For photographs, PNG offers no major advantage over JPG but consumes much more space.
When to Use PNG
- Logos and branding images
- Icons and UI elements
- Screenshots
- Images requiring transparency
If your site uses many PNG images, especially large ones, it’s a good idea to convert PNG to a lighter format wherever possible.
WebP: The Modern Image Format
What Makes WebP Different?
WebP is designed specifically for the modern web. It combines the best features of JPG and PNG while producing much smaller file sizes.
Advantages of WebP
- Smaller File Size (Up to 30–50% Less)
WebP images are significantly smaller than JPG and PNG without noticeable quality loss. - Supports Transparency
Like PNG, WebP supports transparent backgrounds. - Supports Animation
WebP can replace GIFs with much smaller file sizes. - Improves Core Web Vitals
Smaller images load faster, improving LCP and overall page performance. - Wide Browser Support in 2025
All modern browsers, including Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari, support WebP.
Disadvantages of WebP
- Limited Support in Older Tools
Some older image editors and CMS platforms may not handle WebP smoothly. - Not Always Ideal for Offline Use
If users download images for editing, WebP may cause compatibility issues.
When to Use WebP
- Website images of all types
- Blog thumbnails
- Hero images
- Product images
- Icons and UI graphics
For most websites in 2025, WebP should be the default image format.
WebP vs PNG vs JPG: Detailed Comparison
File Size Comparison
- WebP: Smallest
- JPG: Medium
- PNG: Largest
Image Quality
- PNG: Best (lossless)
- WebP: Excellent (lossy & lossless)
- JPG: Good (lossy)
Transparency Support
- WebP: Yes
- PNG: Yes
- JPG: No
Browser Compatibility
- JPG: 100%
- PNG: 100%
- WebP: 95%+ (practically universal in 2025)
SEO & Performance
- WebP: Best
- JPG: Average
- PNG: Poor for large images
Which Image Format Is Best for Websites in 2025?
Short Answer
WebP is the best image format for most websites in 2025.
Long Answer
- Use WebP for almost all images to achieve the best performance.
- Use PNG only when you need absolute quality or transparency and cannot use WebP.
- Use JPG only for compatibility or when WebP is not an option.
If your website focuses on speed, SEO, and Core Web Vitals, switching to WebP can make a noticeable difference.
How Image Format Affects Core Web Vitals
Your previous article on Core Web Vitals highlighted the importance of LCP, CLS, and INP. Image format directly affects these metrics.
- LCP improves when hero images are in WebP
- INP improves when pages load faster
- CLS improves when properly sized images load quickly
Using optimized WebP images can help your site achieve better PageSpeed Insights scores on both mobile and desktop.
Best Practices for Using Images on Websites
- Always compress images before uploading
- Convert JPG and PNG images to WebP
- Use proper image dimensions
- Avoid using PNG for large photos
- Lazy-load below-the-fold images
- Add descriptive alt text for SEO
You can naturally link your image conversion tool, image compressor, and blog posts on performance optimization within these sections.
Final Verdict
In 2025, image optimization is no longer optional. Choosing the right image format can significantly impact website speed, SEO, and user experience.
- WebP is the clear winner for modern websites
- PNG still has niche use cases
- JPG remains useful but is no longer ideal for performance-focused sites
If you want faster loading pages, better Core Web Vitals, and improved Google rankings, switching to WebP is one of the simplest and most effective steps you can take.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is WebP better than PNG and JPG for SEO?
Yes. WebP images are smaller in file size compared to PNG and JPG, which helps pages load faster. Faster loading pages improve Core Web Vitals and user experience, both of which positively impact SEO rankings.
2. Does using WebP images improve Core Web Vitals?
Absolutely. WebP images load faster and reduce page weight, which improves Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) and overall page performance. This makes WebP an excellent choice for performance-focused websites.
3. Are WebP images supported by all browsers in 2025?
Yes. In 2025, all major browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari fully support WebP images, making it safe to use across modern websites.
4. When should I use PNG instead of WebP?
PNG is still useful when you need lossless quality for logos, icons, or images with sharp text and transparency. However, if possible, converting PNG to WebP is recommended for better performance.
5. Is JPG still relevant for websites in 2025?
JPG is still relevant for photographs and large images, but it is no longer the most efficient option. WebP provides better compression with similar or better quality, making it a superior alternative.
6. Can converting images to WebP reduce page load time?
Yes. Converting images to WebP can reduce image file sizes by 30–50%, which directly lowers page load time and improves mobile performance.
7. Does Google recommend WebP images?
Yes. Google actively encourages the use of modern image formats like WebP because they improve performance, reduce bandwidth usage, and enhance user experience.
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