WebP
WebP is an image format designed for the web that compresses photos and graphics more efficiently than JPG or PNG. It supports both lossy and lossless compression and transparency, so a WebP file is usually smaller than the equivalent JPG or PNG while looking the same. Almost every modern browser supports it.
Why WebP matters
Images are usually the heaviest part of a web page, and heavy pages load slowly. WebP was built to fix that by shrinking images without a visible quality drop, which is why so many sites now serve it. Smaller images mean faster pages and lower data use for visitors.
The catch is the same one every newer format faces. A file that a browser opens instantly might be rejected by an older program or an upload form that only knows JPG and PNG. Compatibility is the reason conversions still happen in both directions.
How to convert to or from WebP
- Open the image converter.
- Drop in the file you want to change.
- Pick WebP for a smaller web image, or JPG and PNG for wider compatibility, and download.
Every conversion runs on your device, so your images are never uploaded to be processed.
Lossy, lossless and transparent WebP
WebP has two ways of compressing a picture. Lossy WebP throws away detail the eye is unlikely to miss, like a JPEG, and is the usual choice for photographs. Lossless WebP keeps every pixel, like a PNG, and suits screenshots, diagrams and logos with sharp edges. Both can carry an alpha channel, so a cut-out product photo can keep its transparent background, and the format can also hold short animations.
When you convert out of WebP, pick the target by what the picture is. A photograph becomes a JPG. Anything with text, flat colour or transparency becomes a PNG, which keeps the edges crisp and the background clear. Converting a lossy WebP to PNG does not bring back detail that was already removed; it only stops more from being lost.
Frequently asked questions
Is WebP better than JPG and PNG?
For file size at similar quality, yes. WebP typically produces smaller files than JPG for photos and smaller than PNG for graphics with transparency. JPG and PNG still win on compatibility with older or offline software.
Do all browsers support WebP?
Every current major browser supports WebP. The gaps are older software, some desktop image viewers, and a few upload forms, which is why converting to JPG or PNG is sometimes still necessary.
How do I open or convert a WebP file?
Browsers open WebP directly. To use one in software that rejects it, convert it to JPG or PNG. FileGizmo does this in your browser without uploading the image.