What is WebP?
WebP is a modern image format developed by Google that provides superior lossless and lossy compression for web images, producing files 25-35% smaller than comparable JPG or PNG files.
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What is WebP?
WebP is a modern image format developed by Google in 2010, designed specifically for the web. It uses advanced compression techniques derived from the VP8 video codec to achieve significantly smaller file sizes than JPG and PNG without visible quality loss.
WebP supports both lossy and lossless compression, as well as transparency (alpha channel) and animation - making it a versatile replacement for JPG, PNG, and GIF in web contexts.
How WebP Works
WebP's lossy mode reuses the intra-frame prediction and block transform coding of the VP8 video codec, encoding still images much as VP8 encodes a single keyframe.[3] Its lossless mode is a separate technique that combines spatial prediction, color transforms, and a backward-reference (LZ77-style) entropy coder to reconstruct pixels exactly.[5] Both variants are wrapped in a RIFF container, and an alpha channel can be carried alongside lossy color data, something the JPG format cannot do.[3]
History and Standardization
Google released WebP in 2010, drawing the codec from its acquisition of On2 Technologies and the open-sourcing of VP8.[5] Lossless and alpha support followed in 2011, and animation was added later to position WebP as a single replacement for JPG, PNG, and GIF.[1] The bitstream and container were formally documented by the IETF as RFC 9649 in 2024, giving the format a stable published specification.[3]
WebP vs JPG, PNG, and AVIF
Google reports that lossy WebP images are typically around 25-34% smaller than comparable JPG files, and lossless WebP roughly 26% smaller than PNG.[1] WebP is now supported across all major modern browsers, though it is generally outperformed in compression by the newer AVIF format; its advantage lies in faster encoding and broader, longer-standing browser and tooling support.[2]
Technical Specifications
WebP vs Other Image Formats
| Feature | WebP | JPG | PNG | AVIF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compression | Lossy & lossless[1] | Lossy only | Lossless only | Lossy & lossless |
| Transparency | Yes[2] | No | Yes | Yes |
| Animation | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Typical file size | 25-35% smaller[1] | Larger | Largest | Smallest |
| Browser support | Universal[2] | Universal | Universal | Growing |
| Best for | Web images | Photos | Graphics, logos | Next-gen web |
WebP balances small file size and broad support, while AVIF compresses further and PNG remains best for lossless graphics.
Pros and Cons of WebP
Advantages
25-35% smaller than JPG at equivalent quality, and 26% smaller than PNG for lossless images.
Full alpha channel like PNG, but with much smaller file sizes.
Can replace animated GIFs with far smaller file sizes.
Supported by all modern browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge.
Disadvantages
Older image editors and desktop software may not open WebP natively.
Windows and macOS require additional codecs to preview WebP in file explorers.
Designed for screens - not used in professional print workflows.
Some legacy systems and older browsers do not support it.
When to Use WebP
WebP is the best choice for web images where performance and load speed matter.
Web Performance
Smaller images mean faster page loads and better Core Web Vitals scores.
E-commerce Images
Product photos load faster without sacrificing the visual quality shoppers expect.
Web Apps
Ideal for user-uploaded images and any web application where bandwidth matters.
Replacing GIF Animations
Animated WebP files are typically 64% smaller than equivalent GIFs.
Need to Convert to or from WebP?
Convert JPG, PNG, and other formats to WebP, or convert WebP back to JPG or PNG - free online tools, no signup.
Try WebP Converter FreeFrequently Asked Questions
Is WebP better than JPG?
For web use, yes. WebP produces 25-35% smaller files at the same visual quality. However, JPG has broader software support and is still preferred for photography workflows.
Does Safari support WebP?
Yes. Safari added full WebP support in version 14 (2020). All modern browsers now support WebP.
Can WebP replace both JPG and PNG?
Yes, WebP can handle both use cases - lossy compression for photos (replacing JPG) and lossless with transparency (replacing PNG) - while producing smaller files in both cases.
How do I open a WebP file?
Most modern browsers open WebP directly. For desktop use, update your OS image viewer or use image editing software like Photoshop (with a plugin) or GIMP.
Should I convert my website images to WebP?
Yes, if web performance is a priority. Serving WebP to supporting browsers and JPG/PNG as a fallback for older browsers is considered best practice.