What Is WebP? A Guide to Google's Image Format
Everything you need to know about WebP \u2014 what it is, why it exists, and when you might need to convert it to something else.
WebP in a nutshell
WebP is an image format developed by Google and released in 2010. It was designed to replace both JPEG and PNG by offering smaller file sizes at similar quality. A typical WebP image is 25–34% smaller than an equivalent JPEG, and significantly smaller than PNG for photographic images.
WebP supports both lossy compression (like JPEG) and lossless compression (like PNG), as well as transparency (alpha channel) and animation — making it a versatile all-in-one format.
Why was WebP created?
Images account for the majority of data transferred on most web pages. Google created WebP to make the web faster by reducing image file sizes without sacrificing visual quality. Smaller images mean faster page loads, lower bandwidth costs, and better performance on mobile networks.
The format is based on the VP8 video codec (the same technology behind WebM video), which is why it achieves such efficient compression. The lossless mode uses a separate algorithm that shares some fundamental compression techniques with PNG but adds several novel optimisations.
Browser support
As of 2026, WebP is supported by every major browser: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and Opera. Safari added support in version 14 (2020), which was the last major holdout. Mobile browsers on both iOS and Android have full support as well.
This means WebP is safe to use on the web today. However, many desktop applications still don't support it — and that's where conversion becomes necessary.
When do you need to convert WebP?
You'll run into WebP files when you save images from the web. Most websites now serve images in WebP format for performance. The problem is that many tools outside the browser don't handle WebP:
- Presentations: Some versions of Google Slides and Keynote may not display WebP images correctly.
- Print workflows: Print shops and design tools often require JPEG or PNG files.
- Image editors:Some photo editors (especially older versions) can't open WebP files.
- Social media:A few platforms still don't accept WebP uploads.
- Email: Embedding WebP in emails is unreliable across mail clients.
In these cases, converting WebP to PNG (for transparency) or JPG (for photos) solves the compatibility problem instantly.
How to tell if an image is WebP
When you right-click and save an image from a website, you might notice it saves as a .webp file instead of the .jpg or .png you expected. This happens because most modern websites serve images in WebP format for performance. Your browser displays them fine, but once the file is on your computer, other software might not know what to do with it.
WebP vs PNG vs JPEG
| Feature | WebP | PNG | JPEG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compression | Lossy & lossless | Lossless only | Lossy only |
| Transparency | Yes | Yes | No |
| Animation | Yes | No (APNG exists) | No |
| File size | Smallest | Largest | Medium |
| Compatibility | Web only | Universal | Universal |
How to convert WebP files
The fastest way to convert WebP is to use a browser-based tool. FlipFiles converts WebP to PNG or JPG entirely in your browser — your files never leave your device. Just drop your files and download the result.