Which file format is commonly used for images on the web, taking into account compression and quality?

The JPEG format is widely used for images on the web due to its balance of compression and quality. It employs lossy compression, which significantly reduces file size while retaining an acceptable level of visual quality, making it ideal for web use where loading speeds are important. JPEG is particularly effective for photographs and images with complex color gradients since it can compress detailed images without producing unacceptable artifacts at typical web resolutions.

Other formats serve different purposes; for instance, TIFF is designed for high-quality images but creates larger file sizes, making it less suitable for online use. PDF is primarily a document format that supports images but is not specifically optimized for web images. EPS is mainly used for vector images and graphics, not as common for web display compared to raster image formats like JPEG. Thus, JPEG remains the go-to choice for web images due to its efficient combination of compression and quality.