How to convert PNG to WebP
- Drop one or more
.pngimages onto the upload area. - Choose the Quality. 80 works well for most graphics; raise it for detailed illustrations or fine text.
- Click Convert to WebP and download the results. Transparent backgrounds are kept.
The images are processed locally in your browser and never uploaded to a server.
Why replace PNG with WebP on the web?
PNG is lossless and supports transparency, which is why it became the default format for logos, icons, illustrations, screenshots and product images with cut-out backgrounds. Its weakness is size: PNG files of detailed graphics and photos can be very large, and they often make up a big share of a page's total weight.
WebP also supports full alpha transparency, but it can combine it with efficient lossy compression. That is something neither PNG nor JPG can do: JPG is small but cannot be transparent, while PNG is transparent but large. A transparent product photo saved as WebP is often a fraction of the size of the same PNG, while still sitting cleanly on any background colour.
| PNG | WebP | |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | Lossless only | Lossy or lossless |
| Transparency | Yes | Yes, even with lossy compression |
| File size | Large, especially for photos | Much smaller |
| Browser support | Universal | All modern browsers |
| Image editors and office apps | Universal | Varies |
Best candidates for conversion
- Product images with transparent backgrounds in online shops: big savings, transparency preserved.
- Screenshots and illustrations displayed on websites, blogs and documentation.
- Photos that were saved as PNG by mistake, which shrink dramatically.
- Website backgrounds, banners and hero images that affect page load speed.
Keep PNG for source files you will edit again, for files sent to people or programs that may not support WebP, and for tiny icons where the difference is negligible. For a favicon.ico, use PNG to ICO instead.
Tips
- Check text and sharp edges. Lossy compression can soften fine lines and small lettering. If you see artefacts, raise the quality.
- Resize oversized graphics to their display size with Resize Image before or during conversion.
- Keep your PNG originals, since WebP is best treated as the delivery format for the web.
Frequently asked questions
Does WebP keep the transparent background?
Yes. WebP supports a full alpha channel, so transparent and semi-transparent pixels are preserved.
How much smaller is WebP than PNG?
It depends on the image. Photos and detailed graphics saved as lossy WebP are often many times smaller than the PNG, while simple flat graphics see more modest savings.
Can I use WebP everywhere?
On websites, yes: every modern browser displays WebP. Some desktop apps, office suites and upload forms still expect PNG or JPG, so keep the original for those uses.
Can I convert PNG back from WebP later?
Yes, with our WebP to PNG converter, although detail removed by lossy compression cannot be recovered.