WebP file format
WebP (Google)
WebP is Google's web image format. It supports lossy and lossless compression, transparency and animation, and is typically 25–35% smaller than JPG at similar quality.
| Property | WebP |
|---|---|
| File extensions | .webp |
| MIME type | image/webp |
| Introduced | 2010 by Google |
| Compression | Lossy (VP8) or lossless (VP8L) |
| Transparency | Yes — full 8-bit alpha |
| Animation | Yes |
| Colour depth | 24-bit + alpha |
| Support | All modern browsers (Safari 14+, 2020) |
| Best for | Website images, e-commerce, blogs |
What is a WebP file?
WebP is an image format released by Google in 2010. Its lossy mode is based on the intra-frame coding of the VP8 video codec; a separate lossless mode (VP8L), added in 2011, uses techniques such as colour caching and backward references. Both modes support an 8-bit alpha channel, and WebP files can also hold animations.
Google's own studies found lossy WebP files 25–34% smaller than comparable JPGs and lossless WebP files about 26% smaller than PNGs. That efficiency is why WebP has become the default image format of many CDNs, CMS platforms and page-speed tools.
Strengths and weaknesses of WebP
WebP combines the best features of JPG, PNG and GIF in one format: small photos, transparency and animation. Every modern browser displays it — Chrome since 2014, Firefox and Edge since 2019 and Safari since version 14 in 2020.
Outside the browser, support is still patchier. Some older desktop editors, print services, office suites and upload forms reject WebP, which is why people often convert WebP images saved from websites to JPG or PNG. WebP is also limited to 8 bits per channel and 16,383 pixels per side.
When should you use WebP?
Use WebP for images on websites and apps where load speed matters. Keep JPG or PNG copies for printing, email and older software. For maximum compression on modern browsers, consider AVIF.