Format guide
What is WEBP?
WebP (Web Picture format) is a modern raster image format from Google with strong lossy and lossless modes plus alpha, created by Google (2010). WebP commonly beats JPEG and PNG on size for web delivery while supporting transparency. Use it for site performance; keep JPG/PNG fallbacks only if you still serve very old browsers.
WEBP format specifications
- Full name
- WebP (Web Picture format)
- Kind
- modern raster image
- File extension
- .webp
- MIME type
- image/webp
- Developer / standard
- Google · 2010
- Compression
- lossy or lossless
- Quality model
- Lossy and lossless modes
- Container
- No / single bitstream typical
- Common codecs
- VP8, VP8L
- Technical sources
- Google: WebP documentation
- Transparency
- Supported
- Animation
- Supported / container can carry motion
- Typical size
- Often 25–35% smaller than PNG/JPG equivalents
- Browser support
- All evergreen browsers
- Compatibility
- Strong in modern browsers; improving in desktop apps
WEBP compression & quality
WebP offers lossy and lossless modes derived from VP8/related tech. Lossy WebP often beats JPEG on size; lossless WebP often beats PNG for simple graphics with alpha. Tune quality per asset and verify edges on transparent UI.
Quality: Excellent size/quality trade-off for the web
Typical size: Often 25–35% smaller than PNG/JPG equivalents
Transparency & animation
WEBP supports transparency (including alpha where the codec/container allows). Keep a format with alpha when you need soft edges or overlays.
WEBP can carry motion or multi-frame content depending on how it was encoded.
WEBP metadata
Supports EXIF/XMP in many encoders; not every toolchain preserves tags through conversion — verify if provenance matters.
Related tools: image metadata viewer · metadata remover
Best use cases for WEBP
- Website images
- Transparent web graphics at smaller sizes
- Performance-sensitive galleries
- Replacing heavy PNGs on landing pages
When to avoid WEBP
- Print masters
- Editors that cannot open WebP
- Email clients with weak support
- Archival camera originals
Advantages
- Small files
- Lossy and lossless modes
- Alpha support
- Broad modern browser support
Disadvantages
- Some older tools choke
- Not a print standard
- Encode quality settings need a quick eye check
- Less familiar to non-web teams
Compatibility
Strong in modern browsers; improving in desktop apps
Browsers: All evergreen browsers
Software support
- Chrome
- Firefox
- Safari
- Squoosh
- Figma (export)
Device support
- Modern phones and desktops
- Modern desktops
- Phones and tablets with compatible apps
How to open WEBP
Open in modern browsers and many image apps. Convert if a legacy editor refuses the file.
How to convert WEBP
Convert to and from JPG/PNG/WebP in Format Convertly privately in-browser to fit each channel’s requirements.
Popular WEBP conversions
Convert to WEBP
Incoming conversions strengthen the WEBP cluster — e.g. JPG → WEBP, PNG → WEBP.
WEBP comparison guides
Compare WEBP with related formats to pick the right container for quality, size, and compatibility.
Best format guides featuring WEBP
Decision pages that cite WEBP — the next hop after a vs comparison.
WEBP how-to guides
Related formats
WEBP tools
Tools extend the format graph beyond one-off conversion — compression, metadata, and utilities for real workflows.
Technical sources
WEBP FAQ
What is a WEBP file?
WEBP is a modern raster image format from Google with strong lossy and lossless modes plus alpha. WebP commonly beats JPEG and PNG on size for web delivery while supporting transparency. Use it for site performance; keep JPG/PNG fallbacks only if you still serve very old browsers.
Is WEBP lossy or lossless?
WEBP is typically lossy (lossy or lossless). That keeps files small but means discarded detail cannot be restored later.
Does WEBP support transparency?
WEBP supports transparency (including alpha where the codec/container allows). Keep a format with alpha when you need soft edges or overlays.
How do I open a WEBP file?
Open in modern browsers and many image apps. Convert if a legacy editor refuses the file.
How do I convert WEBP privately?
Convert to and from JPG/PNG/WebP in Format Convertly privately in-browser to fit each channel’s requirements. Format Convertly keeps processing in your browser so files are not uploaded to a conversion server.
Is WebP safe for all browsers now?
Modern Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge support WebP. Keep a JPG/PNG fallback only if you still serve very old clients.
Can WebP be lossless?
Yes. WebP has lossy and lossless modes, and can include alpha in both.
Are my WEBP files uploaded on Format Convertly?
No. WEBP conversion runs in your browser. Files are not sent to Format Convertly servers for processing.