WebP is a modern image format developed by Google that produces files 25–35% smaller than equivalent JPGs, with support for transparency and animation.
Safe format
Type Image
By Google
MIMEimage/webp
Drop any file to identify it
We read file headers, not extensions. Nothing gets uploaded.
WebP is a modern image format developed by Google that produces files 25–35% smaller than equivalent JPGs, with support for transparency and animation. You right-clicked an image in Chrome and saved it. Now nothing on your desktop can open it. Welcome to WebP. Every modern browser handles it natively, which is why websites adopted it enthusiastically. The problem is everything else. Older image editors choke on it. Email clients sometimes refuse to display it. Your mum's computer definitely can't open it. WebP is technically superior to both JPG and PNG, but it broke the implicit social contract that saving an image from the web should just work. If you've ended up with a WebP file you can't use, converting to JPG or PNG takes seconds.
Technical details
Full Name
WebP Image
MIME Type
image/webp
Developer
Google
Magic Bytes
52 49 46 46 ?? ?? ?? ?? 57 45 42 50
Safety
.webp is a known, safe format.
What opens it
Chrome / Edge / Firefox
FREEAll
Apple Preview
FREEmacOS 11+
GIMP
FREEAll
Affinity Photo
$70All
Adobe Photoshop
SubscriptionAll
Convert with fwip
Convert .webp files instantly in your browser. No upload, no signup, no subscription. Your files never leave your device.
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FAQ
Why do websites use WebP?
WebP files are significantly smaller than JPGs and PNGs at equivalent quality, which makes web pages load faster. Google developed the format specifically for web performance.
How do I save a WebP image as JPG?
Right-clicking and saving from a browser gives you a .webp file. Use <a href="https://fwip.app/tools/webp-to-jpg/">fwip</a> to convert it to JPG or PNG instantly in your browser — no upload required.
Is WebP better than PNG?
For file size, yes — WebP lossless is roughly 26% smaller than PNG. WebP also supports animation (unlike PNG) and lossy mode. But PNG has universal support and is the safer choice when you need the image to open everywhere.
Why can't I open a WebP file?
Many desktop applications and older operating systems don't support WebP. macOS added native support in Big Sur (2020), and Windows support requires the WebP Image Extensions from the Microsoft Store. The quickest fix is to convert to JPG with <a href="https://fwip.app/tools/webp-to-jpg/">fwip</a>.