What is a WebP file?
WebP — modern web image
What is it?
WebP is an image format built for the web that does it all: lossy compression like JPEG, lossless compression like PNG, transparency, and even animation like GIF.
At equivalent perceived quality, it produces files 25 to 35% lighter than a JPEG. On a site full of images, that translates directly into faster page loads.
History & origin
Google released WebP in 2010, building on the compression techniques from its VP8 video codec: an image is treated as a single isolated frame from a film.
Long held back by patchy support — Safari resisted until 2020 — it's now read by every modern browser and operating system.
Why it is useful
It replaces JPEG, PNG, and GIF all at once, while being lighter than all three.
Transparency and animation are built in, and browser support is now essentially universal.
Limits & drawbacks
Outside the browser, compatibility remains uneven: older editing software and some applications still don't recognize it.
It isn't accepted by most print shops or cameras. This is a format for online delivery, not for production or archiving.
Practical tips
WebP is the default choice for images on a website. If you need to send a file to someone or print it, convert it to JPEG or PNG first — you'll avoid the classic 'I can't open this' problem.
Never convert a JPEG to WebP and then back to JPEG: you'd be stacking two lossy compressions for nothing.
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