Why so many images on the web are WebP
WebP is an image format Google released in 2010 to make web pages lighter. According to Google, lossless WebP files are about 26% smaller than PNGs, and lossy WebP files are 25–34% smaller than comparable JPEGs. Every current major browser can display it, so CDNs, WordPress plug-ins and shop platforms now convert uploads to WebP automatically.
That's great for page speed and annoying when you right-click and save an image: you get a .webp file instead of the PNG or JPG you expected, and the app you open it in may not support it.
Many browsers also offer WebP only through Save image as, with no option to pick another format. Converting the file afterwards is the reliable fix, and with PNG as the target you lose nothing in the process.
Convert WebP to PNG or to JPG?
Both work. Choose based on what's in the image and what you'll do with it next.
Rule of thumb: if the image has text, sharp lines or a transparent background, choose PNG. If it's a photo headed for an upload form, JPG is smaller.
- If the WebP was lossy, PNG can't add back detail the website's compression already removed. It just stops further loss.
- Animated WebP files are converted as a single still frame. Use the GIF Maker if you need motion.
| WebP to PNG | WebP to JPG | |
|---|---|---|
| Quality | Lossless, no new artifacts | Lossy, adjustable |
| Transparency | Kept | Filled with white |
| File size | Larger | Smaller |
| Best for | Logos, icons, screenshots, edits | Photos you want to share or upload |
How to save a WebP image as PNG without a converter
On Windows, open the WebP in Paint and use Save as → PNG picture. On a Mac, open it in Preview, choose File → Export and pick PNG. Both work for one file at a time but need a desktop app; on a phone, a Chromebook or a locked-down work laptop, a browser converter is faster.
Before you convert, check the size of the WebP. Sites often serve a scaled-down copy, and converting won't make it larger or sharper. If you need a bigger version, look for a full-size link on the page, or upscale the PNG afterwards with the Image Upscaler.
