JPEG has been the web's default photo format for decades, but it's no longer the best option. WebP and AVIF both produce smaller files at the same quality. Here's how to choose between them without overthinking it.
JPEG
Universally supported and good enough for many cases, but the least efficient of the three. Reach for it when you need maximum compatibility with very old software, or when a tool only outputs JPEG.
WebP
A great default today. It's widely supported across modern browsers, handles both photos and graphics, supports transparency, and is meaningfully smaller than JPEG. If you want one format that just works, WebP is it.
AVIF
The most efficient of the three — often noticeably smaller than WebP at the same quality, especially for photos. Support is now broad in modern browsers. The trade-offs are slower encoding and occasionally fussier tooling.
A simple rule of thumb
- Want the smallest files and modern browsers? AVIF.
- Want an excellent, safe default? WebP.
- Need maximum compatibility? JPEG.
You don't have to commit forever. Convert a copy, compare the size and the look side by side, and keep whichever wins for that image.