How to use it
- Drop the WebP files in.
- Each one is converted as soon as it arrives. The thumbnail shows a checkerboard where the image is transparent.
- Download them one at a time or all together.
PNG or JPG?
If the WebP is a photo and you just need something that opens, JPG will be much smaller. PNG is the better target when the image has transparency (a logo or product cut-out), sharp edges and text (a screenshot or diagram), or when you are going to keep editing it. PNG does not lose anything when saved, so it is a safe middle step.
About lossy and lossless WebP
WebP comes in two flavours. Lossless WebP converts to PNG with no change at all. Lossy WebP was compressed by whoever made it, and the PNG will faithfully preserve that version, faint compression marks included. Converting cannot add back detail that was removed earlier, but it stops any further loss.
Expect the PNG to be several times larger than a lossy WebP. If size matters, run it through the PNG compressor, which reduces the number of colours and often halves the file with little visible change on graphics.
WebP and PNG compared
| WebP | PNG | |
|---|---|---|
| First released | 2010 | 1996 |
| Compression | Lossy or lossless | Lossless |
| Transparency | Yes | Yes, including soft edges |
| Animation or pages | Animation | Only as APNG, rarely used |
| Best for | Images on websites | Screenshots, graphics, text and transparency |
| Support | All current browsers; some apps and forms still refuse it | Universal |
Questions people ask
Will the transparent background stay transparent?
Yes. PNG supports full transparency, including soft edges and partial see-through areas, so nothing is flattened.
Why does the PNG look slightly softer than the WebP in my browser?
It should not look different at 100% zoom. If you are comparing at different sizes, the browser may be scaling one of them. Check both at actual size.
Can I convert animated WebP to PNG?
Only the first frame is converted. For animation, keep the WebP or make a GIF with the GIF maker from individual frames.