What is WebP?
WebP is a modern image format developed by Google that supports both lossy and lossless compression, as well as transparency (alpha channel) and animation. It was designed specifically to make images on the web smaller without sacrificing quality.
Compared to JPEG, WebP lossy images are typically 25–34% smaller at equivalent visual quality. Compared to PNG, WebP lossless images are usually around 26% smaller while keeping transparency. Smaller images mean faster page loads, lower bandwidth costs, and better Core Web Vitals — all of which help SEO.
WebP is supported by every major modern browser, including Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari, and Opera. That broad support is why WebP is often the best default choice for delivering images on the web today.
WebP vs JPG vs PNG
- vs JPG: ~25–34% smaller at the same visual quality.
- vs PNG: ~26% smaller while keeping lossless transparency.
- Animation: WebP can replace animated GIFs at a fraction of the size.