If you've ever tried to save an image from a website and ended up with a .webp file that wouldn't open, you're not alone. WebP is everywhere on the modern web — but many people still don't know what it is or how to use it. This guide explains everything.
WebP is an image format developed by Google, released in 2010. It uses advanced compression techniques to create image files that are 25-35% smaller than equivalent JPEG or PNG images, while maintaining similar visual quality. WebP supports both lossy compression (like JPEG), lossless compression (like PNG), transparency (alpha channel), and animation (like GIF) — all in a single format.
In the late 2000s, Google had a problem. Images made up over 60% of the average web page's total size, and existing formats (JPEG from 1992, PNG from 1996, GIF from 1987) were decades old. They were designed for an era of dial-up modems and CRT monitors — not modern broadband and retina displays.
Google's goal was simple: create a single format that could replace JPEG, PNG, and GIF, making the web faster without sacrificing image quality. They acquired On2 Technologies in 2010, whose VP8 video codec became the basis for WebP's compression engine.
Lossy WebP uses predictive coding — it looks at neighboring pixel blocks and predicts what values should appear, then only stores the difference between the prediction and the actual values. This is similar to how modern video codecs work, and it's why WebP can achieve smaller file sizes than JPEG at the same quality level.
Lossless WebP uses several techniques working together: it transforms the image using predictive coding and color indexing, then applies entropy coding for final compression. The result is lossless images that are typically 26% smaller than PNG files.
| Feature | WebP | JPEG | PNG | GIF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lossy compression | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Lossless compression | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Transparency (Alpha) | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅(1-bit) |
| Animation | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| File size vs JPEG | 25-35% smaller | Baseline | Much larger | Larger |
WebP is the dominant image format on the modern web. Google serves WebP images for Google Images search results, YouTube thumbnails, and the Chrome Web Store. Most major websites — including Amazon, eBay, Wikipedia, and Netflix — serve WebP images to Chrome and Firefox users. Content delivery networks (CDNs) like Cloudflare and BunnyCDN automatically convert images to WebP for performance.
However, WebP adoption outside the browser is limited. Desktop applications like Adobe Photoshop (pre-2022 versions), Microsoft Office, and many email clients do not natively support WebP.
WebP is supported by all modern browsers: Chrome (since version 32), Firefox (65+), Safari (14+, iOS 14+), Edge (18+), Opera (19+), and Samsung Internet (4+). The global browser support rate is approximately 97%. The only major holdout is Internet Explorer, which was discontinued by Microsoft in 2022.
Despite near-universal browser support, WebP files cause friction every day. Common scenarios where WebP fails:
This is why WebP to PNG converters are among the most searched image tools online. Converting WebP to the universally-compatible PNG format solves these problems instantly.
For websites: Yes — WebP dramatically improves page load speed and SEO. Use the <picture> element to serve WebP to supporting browsers with JPEG/PNG fallbacks.
For personal photo libraries: It depends — WebP's smaller size is appealing, but limited desktop software support may cause headaches. Consider JPEG XL or AVIF as alternatives.
For sharing and collaboration: No — Stick with JPEG or PNG. Not everyone has software that can open WebP, and the "I can't open this file" email is not one you want to receive.