Format guides
What is WebP?
4 min read
WebP is an image format developed by Google to make web pages lighter. It covers the jobs JPG, PNG and GIF do individually, usually in a smaller file.
One format, three jobs
- Lossy compression for photographs, in place of JPG.
- Lossless compression with transparency, in place of PNG.
- Animation, in place of GIF and at a fraction of the size.
Why files are smaller
WebP uses more modern prediction and entropy coding than JPG's decades-old scheme, so it needs fewer bits to describe the same visual result. The saving varies by image but 25–35% is typical at comparable quality.
Where WebP is not accepted
Plenty of desktop applications, print services, marketplaces and government upload forms still expect JPG or PNG. When a form rejects your file for no obvious reason, converting WebP to JPG is usually the fix.
Frequently asked questions
How do I open a WebP file?
Any modern browser opens it directly. For older desktop software, convert it to JPG or PNG first.
Does WebP support transparency?
Yes, in both its lossy and lossless modes.
Is WebP better than PNG for screenshots?
Lossless WebP is usually smaller than PNG for the same image, but PNG has broader compatibility.
Think of WebP as the delivery format for the web, with JPG and PNG kept for compatibility with everything else.