Introduction
WebP is a modern image format that provides superior compression for images on the web. Developed by Google, it's designed to make the web faster by reducing image file sizes.
What is WebP?
WebP (pronounced "weppy") is an image format that uses both lossy and lossless compression. It was first released by Google in 2010 and has since gained widespread adoption.
Key Features
- Lossy compression: Like JPEG, but with better quality at smaller sizes
- Lossless compression: Like PNG, but typically 26% smaller
- Transparency: Full alpha channel support
- Animation: Similar to GIF but with much smaller files
Why Use WebP?
1. Smaller File Sizes
WebP images are typically:
- 25-34% smaller than JPEG at equivalent quality
- 26% smaller than PNG for lossless images
- Much smaller than GIF for animations
2. Better Quality
At the same file size, WebP often looks better than JPEG, with fewer compression artifacts.
3. Versatility
One format handles photos, graphics, transparency, and animation.
Browser Support
WebP is now supported by all major browsers:
- Chrome (since 2014)
- Firefox (since 2019)
- Safari (since 2020)
- Edge (since 2018)
This means over 97% of web users can view WebP images.
How to Create WebP Images
Option 1: Convert Existing Images
Use Metamorfiles to convert your JPEG or PNG images to WebP instantly:
- Upload your images
- Select WebP as the output format
- Download the converted files
Option 2: Export from Design Tools
Most modern design tools support WebP export:
- Adobe Photoshop (via plugins or "Save for Web")
- Figma (native support)
- Sketch (native support)
WebP vs Other Formats
| Feature | WebP | JPEG | PNG | GIF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lossy compression | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Lossless compression | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Transparency | Yes | No | Yes | Limited |
| Animation | Yes | No | APNG | Yes |
| File size | Best | Good | Large | Large |
Common Use Cases
- Website images: Faster loading times
- E-commerce: Smaller product images
- Mobile apps: Reduced data usage
- Email marketing: Better performance
Conclusion
WebP is the best choice for most web images today. With near-universal browser support and significant file size savings, there's little reason not to use it.
Ready to convert your images to WebP? Try Metamorfiles - it's free and works right in your browser.