What is WebP? How to Convert WebP to PNG/JPG

You've probably downloaded an image from the web and noticed it has a .webp extension instead of .jpg or .png. What is WebP, and why is it everywhere?

What is WebP?

WebP is an image format developed by Google in 2010. It was designed specifically for the web, offering:

• 25-34% smaller file sizes than JPEG at equivalent quality
• 26% smaller than PNG for lossless images
• Transparency support (like PNG, unlike JPEG)
• Animation support (like GIF, but much smaller)

Why Do Websites Use WebP?

Website speed is a critical ranking factor for Google. By using WebP:

• Pages load 20-30% faster
• Bandwidth costs decrease significantly
• Google PageSpeed scores improve
• User experience improves (especially on mobile)

That's why most major websites (Google, Facebook, Netflix, eBay) now serve images in WebP format.

The Problem with WebP

While all modern browsers support WebP, many desktop applications don't:

• Microsoft Office — Can't insert WebP images in Word/PowerPoint
• Older Photoshop — Versions before 23.2 don't support WebP
• Some email clients — Outlook and older Gmail can't display WebP
• Printing services — Most require JPEG, PNG, or TIFF

How to Convert WebP to PNG or JPG

1. Visit convertfly.io/webp-to-png or convertfly.io/webp-to-jpg
2. Upload your .webp file
3. Click Convert
4. Download your .png or .jpg file

WebP vs PNG vs JPG: Which Should You Use?

• WebP — Best for web use. Smallest file size, supports both lossy and lossless.
• PNG — Best for graphics with transparency, screenshots, logos, and icons.
• JPG — Best for photographs and complex images where file size matters.

The Future: AVIF

AVIF is an even newer format (2019) that offers 20% smaller files than WebP. Browser support is growing fast. ConvertFly supports JPG to AVIF and AVIF to JPG conversions.