What Is a WebP File? A Plain Guide to Opening and Converting
A WebP file is a small image format made for websites. Find out why your pictures save as WebP, where they open, and how to turn them into JPG or PNG.
Updated · 4 min read
Use the free WebP to JPG ConverterTurn WebP files into JPG in seconds. Batch convert as many as you like.No sign-up, no upload – runs in your browserConvert nowWhat is a WebP file? It is an image saved in WebP, a format Google created to make pictures on websites smaller and faster to load. If you right-clicked a picture online and it saved as .webp instead of .jpg, that is because the website sent you the WebP version. Browsers open WebP files easily, but some apps, older computers and upload forms do not, so the quick fix is to convert the image to JPG or PNG.
Why so many pictures save as WebP now
Websites want to load quickly, and images are usually the heaviest part of a page. WebP lets a site show the same picture in a smaller file. So when your browser asks for an image, many websites hand over the WebP version, and that is what lands in your Downloads folder when you save it.
You will often see WebP files from:
- Online shops and product photos
- News sites, blogs and recipe sites
- Image search results
- Stickers and pictures saved from some messaging apps
What makes WebP different
WebP can do jobs that normally need two or three different formats:
- Photos, in a smaller file than a JPG of similar quality.
- Graphics with a transparent background, like a PNG.
- Short animations, like a GIF but usually smaller.
That flexibility is great for websites. For everyday use, it can be confusing, because you cannot always tell from the .webp ending whether the file is a photo, a logo or an animation.
What is a WebP file supported by?
| Where you open it | Opens WebP? |
|---|---|
| Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari | Yes |
| Windows 11 Photos and Paint | Yes, on most up-to-date PCs |
| Preview on a recent Mac | Yes |
| iPhone and Android photo apps | Usually yes |
| Older photo editors and viewers | Often no |
| Word, PowerPoint and some email programs | Sometimes no |
| Job, visa, exam and government upload forms | Often rejected |
| Print shops and photo kiosks | Often rejected |
If your image is headed somewhere near the bottom of the table, convert it first.
How to convert a WebP file
- Open the free WebP to JPG converter.
- Drop your WebP images into the box, or tap it to choose them.
- Each image converts in a moment, inside your browser. Nothing is uploaded.
- Click Download, or download them all as a ZIP if you added several.
Picking the right format matters:
- Photo you want to share, upload or print? WebP to JPG.
- Logo, screenshot or image with a see-through background? WebP to PNG. Our step-by-step guide on how to convert WebP to PNG covers this in detail.
- Moving picture? WebP to GIF.
- Need a document? WebP to PDF.
If you only want a JPG copy of something you found online, see how to save WebP as JPG for every method, including the ones built into Windows and Mac.
WebP vs JPG vs PNG
| WebP | JPG | PNG | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Web pages | Photos | Logos, text, screenshots |
| File size | Small | Medium | Large |
| Transparent background | Yes | No | Yes |
| Animation | Yes | No | No |
| Opens everywhere | Not quite | Yes | Yes |
In short: WebP is the best choice for a website, and JPG or PNG is the best choice for almost everything else.
How to open a WebP file without converting
If you only want to look at the picture, you may not need to convert it at all:
- Any computer: drag the file into a Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari window.
- Windows 11: double-click it. The Photos app opens WebP on most up-to-date PCs.
- Mac: double-click it to open it in Preview.
- Phone: open it from your Files or Downloads app; most gallery apps can show it.
Converting only becomes necessary when you need to upload, print, edit or send the picture somewhere that does not accept WebP.
Can I just rename .webp to .jpg?
No. Renaming only changes the label. The picture inside is still WebP, so some apps will show an error or refuse the file, and upload forms that check the contents will reject it. A real conversion opens the WebP image and saves it again as a proper JPG.
Going the other way: making your own WebP files
If you run a website or online shop, WebP can make your pages faster. You can turn your existing pictures into WebP with JPG to WebP or PNG to WebP. Keep the original JPG or PNG too, in case you need it somewhere that does not accept WebP.
The short answer
A WebP file is a small, modern image made for websites. It opens fine in browsers, but not everywhere else. When you need a picture that works in every app and on every form, convert the WebP to JPG or PNG for free, with no sign-up and nothing uploaded.
Frequently asked questions
Who made the WebP format?
Google released WebP in 2010 to make web pages load faster. It is now supported by all major web browsers.
Is WebP better than JPG?
WebP files are usually smaller than JPGs that look the same, and they can have transparent backgrounds and animation. JPG is better when you need the picture to open in any app or be accepted by any upload form.
Why can't I open a WebP file?
Some older programs, photo editors and upload forms were made before WebP became common, so they do not recognise it. Converting the image to JPG or PNG fixes that.
Is a WebP file a virus?
No. A WebP file is an ordinary image, like a JPG or PNG. Treat it like any other picture and only open files from sources you trust.
Can WebP files be animated?
Yes. A WebP can hold a short animation, like a GIF. If you need it as a GIF, use the WebP to GIF converter.
Should I convert WebP to JPG or PNG?
Choose JPG for photos you want to share, print or upload. Choose PNG if the image has a transparent background, text, or a logo you want to keep crisp.