What is WebP used for?

WebP is used for web images — photographs, graphics with transparency, and animations. It produces files 25–35% smaller than JPEG at equivalent quality, which reduces page weight and improves load times.

Does WebP support transparency?

Yes. WebP supports a full 8-bit alpha channel for transparency in both lossy and lossless modes.

Is WebP better than JPEG?

For web use, yes. WebP produces files 25–35% smaller than JPEG at matched visual quality and additionally supports transparency and lossless compression. JPEG remains useful only for maximum compatibility.

WebP

Google's web image format — lossy, lossless, transparency and animation in one file, 25–35% smaller than JPEG and PNG.

Definition

WebP is an image format developed by Google, based on the VP8 video codec. It supports lossy compression, lossless compression, transparency (alpha channel) and animation within a single format, effectively replacing JPEG, PNG and animated GIF for web use.

In practice

At matched visual quality, WebP files are roughly 25–35% smaller than JPEG and 20–30% smaller than PNG lossless. Universally supported since around 2020. It's the pragmatic default format for web images when AVIF isn't available.

WebP compressor WebP vs AVIF What is AVIF?

Compress your images now — free and private

Drop your files and ImageForge compresses them in your browser. No uploads, no accounts, no limits. Batch process hundreds at once and download a ZIP.

Open the compressor

100% private No signup