What is a WEBP File?
If you've ever saved an image from a website only to find you couldn't open it or upload it elsewhere, chances are it was a WEBP file. WEBP has become the modern standard for images on the web, but what exactly is it?
The Short Answer
WEBP is a modern image format developed by Google. It provides superior lossless and lossy compression for images on the web. Using WEBP allows web developers to create smaller, richer images that make websites load faster.
Why Do Websites Use WEBP?
Website speed is critical for user experience and SEO. Because images often make up the bulk of a webpage's size, reducing image file size directly improves loading speeds.
- WEBP lossless images are 26% smaller in size compared to PNGs.
- WEBP lossy images are 25-34% smaller than comparable JPG images at equivalent quality.
- Unlike JPGs, WEBP supports transparency (like PNG).
- Unlike standard PNGs, WEBP supports animation (like GIF).
The Downside: Compatibility Issues
While all modern web browsers (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge) fully support WEBP, many desktop applications, older operating systems, and some social media platforms still do not. This is why you often run into trouble when trying to open a WEBP file in older photo viewers or upload it to certain websites.
How to Convert WEBP to JPG or PNG
If you have a WEBP file that you need to use in a program that doesn't support it, the easiest solution is to convert it to a more universal format like JPG or PNG.