WebP (WebP Image)
Google's image format that squeezes photos and graphics into smaller files without sacrificing quality.
| Full name | WebP Image |
| Extension | .webp |
| MIME type | image/webp |
| Developer | |
| Released | 2010 |
| Type | Raster image |
| Compression | Lossy and lossless |
| Supports animation | Yes |
What is a WebP file?
WebP is an image format made by Google. It supports both lossy and lossless compression, so it can replace JPEG for photos and PNG for graphics. Files are typically 25-35% smaller than equivalent JPEGs at the same visual quality.
WebP stores images in a container based on the RIFF format. Lossy WebP uses the VP8 video codec's intra-frame prediction to compress image data, the same technology that powers VP8 video. Lossless WebP combines LZ77 compression, entropy coding, and optional spatial transforms. The format also supports transparency (alpha channel) and animation, making it one format that covers use cases spread across JPEG, PNG, and GIF.
History
Google announced WebP on September 30, 2010, about seven months after completing its $124.6 million acquisition of On2 Technologies. On2 had developed the VP8 video codec, and Google's engineers adapted VP8's intra-frame compression techniques to still images. The format gained wide browser support slowly over the following decade, with Safari adding full support in 2020.
How it works
A WebP file begins with a RIFF header followed by a WEBP signature. Inside that container, image data lives in one of three chunk types: VP8 for lossy images, VP8L for lossless images, or VP8X for extended features like transparency, ICC color profiles, Exif metadata, and animation. Animation frames are stored in ANMF chunks. This chunk-based design lets a single file carry simple photos, transparent graphics, or multi-frame animations.
What it is used for
- Web images where page load speed matters
- Replacing PNG files that need transparency
- Animated images as a smaller alternative to GIF
- App and game assets where file size affects performance
How to open it
Modern browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari) display WebP images natively. On desktop, apps like GIMP, Photoshop (with updates), Preview on macOS, and the Windows Photos app all open WebP files.
Pros and cons
Strengths
- Smaller file sizes than JPEG and PNG at comparable quality
- Supports transparency, animation, and both lossy and lossless modes in one format
- Royalty-free and open specification
- Wide browser support across Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari
Trade-offs
- Older software and some image editors still do not support it
- Not ideal for print workflows, which prefer TIFF or high-quality JPEG
- Lossless WebP can be larger than PNG for some types of images
- Metadata handling is less mature than with long-established formats
Convert WebP files
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From WebP
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WebP FAQ
Is WebP better than JPEG?
For most web photos, yes. Lossy WebP produces files roughly 25-34% smaller than JPEG at equivalent quality, according to Google's own benchmarks. The trade-off is that not all software outside the browser supports it.
Can WebP replace PNG for transparent images?
Yes. WebP supports an 8-bit alpha channel, so it handles transparency like PNG does. Lossless WebP with alpha is often smaller than an equivalent PNG.
Does WebP support animation?
Yes. Animated WebP stores frames in ANMF chunks inside the container. It generally produces smaller files than animated GIF, though browser support for animated WebP is not universal in all environments.
Why do some downloaded images have a .webp extension instead of .jpg?
Websites often serve WebP versions of their images to browsers that support the format, using the Accept header to detect support. The image looks the same, but the file is smaller. If you need a JPEG or PNG version, you can convert it.