JPG remains a compatibility standard
JPG is widely accepted by upload forms, marketplaces, image editors, and older workflows. It is lossy and cannot store transparency, but its predictable support makes it a safe exchange format for photographs.
- Use a deliberate background when flattening transparency.
- Avoid repeated high-loss re-encoding.
WebP is useful for modern web delivery
WebP supports lossy encoding and transparency and can often reduce photographic or graphic file sizes. It is not guaranteed to be smaller, and the destination must accept it.
- Measure the actual result.
- Keep the source when compatibility is uncertain.
Choose for the destination
Use JPG when broad compatibility matters most. Use WebP when the website or workflow supports it and measured bytes or transparency provide a real benefit. Conversion preserves dimensions but cannot improve source detail.