Images account for over 60% of total webpage byte weight on the modern internet. Choosing the right format directly influences your website's Google Core Web Vitals, bandwidth costs, and conversion rates. Here is a definitive breakdown of when to choose WebP, PNG, JPG, or SVG.
Format Comparison Matrix
| Format | Best For | Transparency | Typical Compression |
|---|---|---|---|
| WebP | Modern web pages, e-commerce, blogs | Yes (Alpha) | 30% smaller than JPG |
| PNG | Logos, screenshots, graphics with text | Yes (Full) | Lossless (Larger file) |
| JPG / JPEG | Government forms, general photos | No | Adjustable (Lossy) |
| SVG | Vector icons, UI elements, brand logos | Yes | Ultra-light (Code-based) |