What Is WebP Format? Complete Guide to WebP Images (2026)
Everything you need to know about the WebP image format. How it compares to PNG and JPG, when to use it, how to convert to WebP, and browser support in 2026.
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WebP is a modern image format developed by Google that provides significantly smaller file sizes than JPG and PNG while maintaining comparable visual quality. If you run a website, blog, or online store, switching to WebP can cut your image bandwidth by 25-35% and dramatically improve page load times.
WebP at a Glance
| Feature | WebP | JPG | PNG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lossy compression | Yes | Yes | No |
| Lossless compression | Yes | No | Yes |
| Transparency (alpha) | Yes | No | Yes |
| Animation | Yes | No | APNG only |
| Typical file size | Smallest | Medium | Largest |
| Browser support (2026) | 98%+ | 100% | 100% |
WebP vs. JPG: File Size Comparison
Google's own studies show WebP lossy images are 25-34% smaller than equivalent JPGs at the same visual quality (SSIM index). In our testing with real-world photos:
- A 2.4 MB JPG photo compressed to 1.6 MB as WebP (33% smaller)
- A 850 KB product image compressed to 580 KB as WebP (32% smaller)
- A 5.1 MB high-res landscape compressed to 3.2 MB as WebP (37% smaller)
The savings add up fast. A page with 10 product images could save 2-3 MB per page load just by switching from JPG to WebP.
WebP vs. PNG: When to Switch
For lossless images (screenshots, logos, graphics with text), WebP lossless is typically 26% smaller than PNG. WebP also supports transparency, making it a direct replacement for PNG in most cases.
The one exception: if you need maximum compatibility with very old software (pre-2020 image editors, legacy email clients), stick with PNG.
How to Convert Images to WebP
- Open BriskTool's Image Converter - free, runs entirely in your browser
- Upload your JPG, PNG, or other image
- Select WebP as the output format
- Adjust quality (for lossy) or choose lossless
- Download your WebP file
BriskTool supports batch conversion, so you can convert an entire folder of images at once.
Browser Support in 2026
As of 2026, WebP is supported by every major browser:
- Chrome - since version 32 (2014)
- Firefox - since version 65 (2019)
- Safari - since version 14 (2020)
- Edge - since version 18 (2019)
- Opera, Brave, Vivaldi - full support
Global browser support is now above 98%, making WebP safe to use as your primary image format for the web.
How to Use WebP on Your Website
The simplest approach is to use the HTML <picture> element with a fallback:
<picture>
<source srcset="image.webp" type="image/webp">
<img src="image.jpg" alt="Description">
</picture>Browsers that support WebP load the smaller file; others fall back to JPG. Most modern CMS platforms (WordPress, Shopify, Squarespace) now serve WebP automatically.
Should You Use WebP for Everything?
Almost. WebP is the best general-purpose format for the web in 2026. The main exceptions are:
- Print materials - Use TIFF or high-quality JPG for print workflows
- Professional photography archives - Use RAW or TIFF for archival quality
- Email attachments - JPG is safer since some email clients still do not render WebP inline
- Favicon files - Use ICO or SVG for favicons
For everything else on the web - product photos, blog images, thumbnails, social media - WebP is the optimal choice.