WebP is a modern image format developed by Google in 2010 that provides both lossless and lossy compression for web images. It is designed to create smaller, richer images that make the web faster. Understanding what WebP is and when to use it is essential knowledge for anyone who manages a website, develops web applications, or works with digital images.
What Is WebP?
WebP (Web Picture) is an image format developed by Google based on the VP8 video codec. It uses advanced compression techniques called predictive coding — where the encoder predicts values of pixels based on neighboring pixels and only encodes the difference — to achieve significantly smaller file sizes than older formats while maintaining equivalent or better visual quality.
WebP Key Facts
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Developed by | Google, 2010 |
| Based on | VP8 video codec |
| File extension | .webp |
| MIME type | image/webp |
| Supports lossless | Yes |
| Supports lossy | Yes |
| Supports transparency | Yes (alpha channel) |
| Supports animation | Yes |
| Browser support | 95%+ globally (2026) |
WebP vs JPG — How Much Smaller Is WebP?
According to Google’s own benchmarks, WebP lossy images are 25–34% smaller than comparable JPEG images at equivalent visual quality. This means a 200KB JPG photograph becomes approximately 130–150KB as WebP with no perceptible quality difference. Across a website with dozens of images, this translates to substantially faster page loads and lower bandwidth costs.
WebP vs PNG — How Much Smaller Is WebP?
WebP lossless images are 26% smaller than PNG files on average. This is significant because PNG was previously the only option for lossless web images with transparency. WebP lossless achieves the same perfect pixel quality with 26% less storage, making it a direct PNG replacement for web use. Convert your PNG files free with the PNG to WebP Converter.
Does WebP Support Transparency?
Yes — WebP fully supports alpha channel transparency, just like PNG. A WebP image can have a completely transparent background, semi-transparent areas, or be fully opaque. This makes WebP a complete replacement for both JPG (no transparency support) and PNG (lossless with transparency) for web use.
Does WebP Support Animation?
Yes — animated WebP is a direct competitor to animated GIF and APNG. Animated WebP files are typically 64% smaller than equivalent animated GIFs while supporting a much higher color range (16 million colors vs 256 for GIF). Browser support for animated WebP is the same as static WebP — over 95% globally.
What Are the Downsides of WebP?
Despite being technically superior for web use, WebP has a few limitations. Not all desktop image editing software supports WebP natively (older versions of Photoshop, Lightroom). Some email clients do not render WebP. Internet Explorer (less than 1% of users) does not support WebP. For non-web use, JPG and PNG still have better software compatibility. Always keep original JPG or PNG files when converting to WebP.
How to Convert Images to WebP
Convert your images to WebP free using these tools:
- JPG to WebP Converter — convert photos from JPG to WebP
- PNG to WebP Converter — convert graphics from PNG to WebP
And convert WebP back to universal formats when needed:
- WebP to JPG Converter — convert WebP back to JPG
- WebP to PNG Converter — convert WebP back to PNG
Should You Use WebP on Your Website?
Yes — for any website built in 2020 or later, WebP should be your default image format. Google explicitly recommends it in PageSpeed Insights and Lighthouse. WordPress 5.8+ supports WebP in the Media Library. The combination of smaller file sizes and near-universal browser support makes the conversion straightforward and the benefits immediate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does WebP stand for?
WebP stands for Web Picture. It is Google’s image format designed specifically for web delivery.
Is WebP better than JPEG?
For web delivery, yes — WebP is 25–34% smaller than JPEG at equivalent quality. For offline use and software compatibility, JPEG has broader support.
Why does Google use WebP?
Google developed WebP to make the web faster. Smaller image files reduce bandwidth usage, improve page load times, and lead to better user experience and search rankings.