What is WebP?
WebP — WebP is a modern image format developed by Google that provides superior lossless and lossy compression for images on the web, typically 25–35% smaller than JPEG at equivalent visual quality.
WebP is an image format developed and released by Google in 2010, derived from the VP8 video codec. It supports both lossy and lossless compression in a single format, along with transparency (alpha channel) and animation — making it a direct replacement for JPEG, PNG, and GIF in most web use cases.
Lossy WebP uses predictive coding to encode image blocks, referencing neighboring blocks to record only the differences. This produces files 25–34% smaller than JPEG at equivalent visual quality (SSIM score). Lossless WebP uses a different entropy encoding approach and runs 26% smaller than PNG on average, while also supporting 8-bit alpha at no additional cost.
WebP is supported by all major browsers as of 2022 and is natively decoded on Android and iOS. Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari 14+, Edge, and Opera all support WebP without plugins. It is the format of choice for web performance optimization and is widely used by large-scale web properties including Google, Facebook, and YouTube.
WebP vs JPEG: Key Differences
JPEG supports only lossy compression and has no transparency support. WebP lossy outperforms JPEG in compression ratio at the same perceptual quality (SSIM), with files typically 25–34% smaller. For photographs and natural images, WebP lossy quality 80 is broadly equivalent to JPEG quality 80–85 but at a smaller file size. The main reason to keep JPEG today is legacy compatibility with older email clients, CMS systems, and printing workflows that do not accept WebP.
WebP vs PNG: Key Differences
PNG is lossless and supports full transparency, making it preferred for logos, icons, and screenshots. Lossless WebP compresses the same pixel data 26% smaller than PNG. WebP also supports lossy compression with transparency — a combination PNG cannot offer — which is useful for product images with transparent backgrounds where some quality loss is acceptable. PNG remains preferable for images requiring exact pixel fidelity (medical imaging, pixel art) or maximum software compatibility.
WebP Limitations
WebP does not support CMYK color mode, making it unsuitable for print workflows. Progressive loading (like Progressive JPEG) is not supported — WebP loads top-to-bottom only. Some image editors (Photoshop < 23.2, older Lightroom) require plugins to open WebP files. For maximum browser reach, serve WebP via <picture> with a JPEG/PNG fallback using the <source> element.
WebP Tools on PicsSizer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is WebP better than JPEG?▾
For web use, yes. WebP lossy produces smaller files at equivalent visual quality — typically 25–34% smaller than JPEG. It also supports transparency (JPEG does not). The practical downside is that some older email clients and software still do not open WebP files, making JPEG the safe choice for non-web distribution.
Does WebP support transparency?▾
Yes. WebP supports full alpha channel (transparency) in both lossy and lossless modes. This makes it suitable as a replacement for PNG in web contexts. JPEG does not support transparency.
Do all browsers support WebP?▾
As of 2022, all major browsers support WebP: Chrome 32+, Firefox 65+, Safari 14+, Edge 18+, and Opera 19+. On mobile, WebP is supported on Android 4+ and iOS 14+. Internet Explorer does not support WebP.
Should I convert all my images to WebP?▾
For web pages, yes — converting JPEG and PNG images to WebP reduces page weight and improves load time. Use a <picture> element with a JPEG/PNG fallback for browsers that might not support it. For images shared via email, printed, or used in desktop software, keep JPEG or PNG for compatibility.