WebP
.webp · image/webp · 2010 · Google
WebP is the format Google built for the web in 2010. It compresses photos roughly 25–35% smaller than equivalent-quality JPEG, supports both lossy and lossless modes, alpha transparency, and animation — one format that replaces JPEG, PNG and GIF in most web contexts. Since 2020 every mainstream browser supports it, and it is now the pragmatic default for website images.
Compression
Lossy + lossless
Transparency
Yes
Animation
Yes
Browser display
All browsers
Strengths & limitations
Strengths
- 25–35% smaller than JPEG at the same visual quality
- Transparency in both lossy and lossless modes
- Supported by all modern browsers since 2020
Limitations
- Some desktop apps and older tools still cannot open it
- Beaten by AVIF and JPEG XL on pure compression
- Lossy mode caps out at 8-bit color
Best used for
- Website and e-commerce images
- Replacing JPEG+PNG with one format
- Animated stickers