WebP
/ˈwɛbˌpiː/ · noun · image format
Google’s web image format. Smaller than JPG and PNG, supported by all modern browsers.
In more detail
WebP is Google’s image format for the web, offering both lossy and lossless modes plus transparency and animation. It’s typically smaller than JPG or PNG at the same quality.
Every modern browser supports it, though some editors and older tools still don’t — which is when converting to PNG helps.
What WebP supports
WebP has separate lossy and lossless coding modes. Both can carry an alpha channel for transparency, and the container can store animation, colour profiles, and metadata. That allows WebP to replace JPG, PNG, and simple GIF assets in many web workflows.
Lossy WebP is derived from video compression techniques and works well for photographs. Lossless WebP transforms and compresses pixel data without discarding it, making it useful for graphics with transparency when it beats PNG on size.
WebP compatibility and conversion
Current Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge releases display WebP, so it is a dependable web-delivery format. Friction is more likely in older design tools, document software, upload forms, operating-system previews, or workflows that accept only a short list of extensions.
Convert photographic WebP files to JPG for broad compatibility. Convert to PNG when transparency or lossless pixel preservation matters. An animated WebP needs an animation-capable destination such as GIF or video; converting only its first frame produces a still image.
Key points
- WebP supports lossy images, lossless images, transparency, and animation.
- Browser support is broad, while some editing and upload workflows still lag.
- Choose JPG for photographic compatibility and PNG when transparency matters.