What is the WebP format?
a web format that is smaller than JPG and supports transparency and animation
- MIME type
- image/webp
- Extensions
- .webp
- Introduced
- 2010
- Compression
- Lossy or lossless
- Transparency
- Yes
- Animation
- Yes
- Shown directly in browsers
- Yes
- On this site
- Read (input) · Save (output)
Overview
WebP is a web image format Google released in 2010. At the same quality it can be roughly 25-35% smaller than JPG, and it handles lossy and lossless compression, transparency and animation in a single format.
People often run into "this WebP won't open" after saving an image from the web. Browsers can read it, but older editors, some upload forms and document tools can't. Converting it to JPG or PNG solves that.
History
Google released WebP in 2010 after acquiring the video codec company On2, building on the keyframe technology of its VP8 video codec. Lossless compression and transparency were added in 2012.
For a long time only Chrome-family browsers fully supported it. Firefox and Safari joined around 2019-2020, so every major browser can now display it.
Pros
- Smaller files than JPG at the same quality
- Supports transparency and animation
- Supported by all major browsers today
Cons
- Older programs and some upload forms may reject it
- Print shops and official submissions often still require JPG or PNG
Best used for
- Optimizing website images
- Transparent web graphics
- Short animations
Compatibility
All current browsers, including Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari, support it. Support in editing software and document tools varies by version.
Convert WebP
Convert from WebP
Convert to WebP
WebP: frequently asked questions
+Which programs can open WebP files?
All current browsers, including Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari, support it. Support in editing software and document tools varies by version.
+Does WebP support transparent backgrounds?
Yes, WebP supports transparent backgrounds.
+How do I convert WebP to another format?
Upload your WebP file to AnyPicToAnyPic and pick one of PNG, JPG, GIF, BMP, ICO, SVG. It is converted right in your browser and the file is never uploaded.
+How does WebP compare with JPG in file size?
For the same photo, WebP is roughly 70% of the JPG size. It varies a lot with image content and quality settings, so check the actual size in the result screen.