You've seen the .webp extension pop up when you save an image from a website, and maybe an old program refused to open it. So what exactly is WebP, why is it everywhere now, and should you be using it? In short, WebP is a modern image format built for the web that makes files significantly smaller than JPG and PNG while keeping them looking great. Here's everything you need to know.
What is WebP?
WebP is an image format developed by Google and first released in 2010. Its whole purpose is to make images on the web smaller and faster to load without sacrificing visible quality. It does this with more advanced compression than the older JPG and PNG formats were capable of.
The key thing that makes WebP special: it combines the best traits of the formats it aims to replace. Like JPG, it has an efficient lossy mode for photos. Like PNG, it supports lossless compression and transparency. One format, both jobs, smaller files.
How WebP compression works
WebP offers two modes:
- Lossy — discards some detail your eye is unlikely to notice, producing much smaller files. Ideal for photographs. Lossy WebP files are typically around 25–35% smaller than equivalent JPG files.
- Lossless — preserves every pixel exactly, like PNG, but with smaller files. Google reports lossless WebP is roughly 26% smaller than PNG.
WebP also supports an alpha channel (transparency) in both modes and can even do simple animation, making it a single format that covers most of what you'd otherwise need JPG, PNG, and GIF for.
The pros of WebP
- Smaller files than JPG and PNG at comparable quality, which means faster pages and better Core Web Vitals.
- Transparency support, so it can replace PNG for logos and graphics.
- Both lossy and lossless modes in one format.
- Wide browser support — every modern browser renders WebP.
- Better SEO and user experience, because lighter pages load faster.
The cons of WebP
- Email and older software. Some older email clients and legacy desktop programs don't recognize WebP. For an email attachment, JPG or PNG is the safer bet.
- Strict upload requirements. A few platforms still only accept JPG or PNG uploads.
- Editing tools. Older versions of some image editors need a plugin to open WebP, though current versions handle it natively.
For day-to-day web use, none of these are dealbreakers — but they're the reason JPG and PNG haven't disappeared.
Browser and software support
WebP is supported in all current versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, so visitors to your website will see WebP images without any issue. On the desktop, modern operating systems and image viewers open WebP natively, and most current editing software does too. The main gaps are in older, unmaintained software — which is also a reason to keep a JPG or PNG fallback for broad compatibility.
If you've ever downloaded a .webp file and couldn't open it in an old program, the simplest fix is to convert it to JPG or PNG — which takes seconds.
How to create or convert WebP with Toolmingo
You don't need design software to start using WebP. Whether you want to convert to WebP for a faster website, or from WebP into JPG/PNG so an old program can open it, you can do it free in your browser:
- Open the free Image Converter.
- Drop in your image — a JPG or PNG to make a WebP, or a WebP to convert it back.
- Choose your output format (WebP to create one).
- Adjust the quality slider and download.
Everything runs locally in your browser, so your images are never uploaded to a server and stay private. If you already have WebP files and just want them smaller, use the Compress Image tool to squeeze them further before publishing.
Should you use WebP?
For images on a website, almost always yes — it's smaller, supports transparency, and is universally supported by modern browsers. The pragmatic approach used by most sites is to serve WebP to browsers that support it and keep a JPG or PNG fallback for the rare cases where it's needed (email, strict uploaders, very old software).
FAQ
What is a WebP file used for? WebP is used to display images on the web with smaller file sizes than JPG and PNG, which makes pages load faster. It supports both photos and transparent graphics, plus simple animation.
How do I open a WebP file? Every modern browser and most current image viewers open WebP directly. If an older program can't, convert it to JPG or PNG with the free Image Converter in a couple of clicks.
Is WebP better than JPG? For the web, generally yes — WebP files are typically 25–35% smaller than JPG at similar quality and also support transparency. JPG still wins for maximum compatibility with email and legacy software.
WebP is the modern, efficient image format that makes websites faster without visible quality loss. Ready to try it? Convert your images to (or from) WebP free with the Image Converter, entirely in your browser.