What is a WebP file?
WebP is an image format developed by Google that compresses photos and graphics smaller than JPG or PNG at the same quality. A WebP file uses the .webp extension, supports both lossy and lossless compression, and can store transparency and animation. Every major browser released since 2020 displays WebP natively.
Why WebP is smaller
WebP borrows compression techniques from video encoding to describe an image with fewer bytes than older formats. At the same visual quality it is typically 25 to 35 percent smaller than JPG and much smaller than PNG, which is why it speeds up web pages.
When to use WebP
Use WebP for images on websites and apps where load speed matters. Keep a JPG or PNG copy when you need to hand a file to someone using older software, since a few desktop programs still do not open WebP.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is WebP better than JPG?
For the web, usually yes. WebP files are smaller at the same quality, so pages load faster. JPG is still handy for maximum compatibility with old software.
How do I open a WebP file?
Any modern browser opens WebP. To use it in an app that does not support it, convert the WebP to JPG or PNG first.
Does WebP support transparency?
Yes. WebP stores an alpha channel, so it can hold transparent backgrounds like PNG, at a smaller file size.