WebP vs PNG: Which Format Should You Use?
The Short Answer
WebP is the better choice for websites: a lossless WebP is roughly a quarter smaller than the same PNG, and a lossy WebP is several times smaller. PNG is the safer choice everywhere else, because every program, printer and upload form accepts it. Both support transparency.
WebP vs PNG Side by Side
| WebP | PNG | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | WebP: WebP | PNG: Portable Network Graphics |
| File extension | WebP: .webp | PNG: .png |
| How it stores data | WebP: Lossy or lossless compression | PNG: Lossless compression |
| File size | WebP: small (lossy) | PNG: large (lossless) |
| Created by | WebP: Google, 2010 | PNG: PNG Development Group (W3C), 1996 |
| Best for | WebP: website images, where smaller files mean faster pages | PNG: screenshots, logos, interface graphics, images that need a transparent background |
| Watch out | WebP: older software, some email clients and many upload forms still reject it | PNG: photographs come out several times larger than as JPG or WebP |
| Opens with | WebP: all current browsers; recent versions of Windows Photos, Preview, Photoshop and GIMP | PNG: every browser, phone, image viewer and editor |
Choose WebP When
- Images on a website, where file size is loading time
- Photos that need a transparent background
- Animations that would be huge as GIF
Choose PNG When
- Files for editing, printing or archiving
- Uploads to forms and apps that reject WebP
- Screenshots and graphics shared with people on older software
Convert Between WebP and PNG
More About Each Format
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, WebP or PNG?
WebP is the better choice for websites: a lossless WebP is roughly a quarter smaller than the same PNG, and a lossy WebP is several times smaller. PNG is the safer choice everywhere else, because every program, printer and upload form accepts it. Both support transparency.
When should I use WebP?
Images on a website, where file size is loading time. Photos that need a transparent background. Animations that would be huge as GIF.
When should I use PNG?
Files for editing, printing or archiving. Uploads to forms and apps that reject WebP. Screenshots and graphics shared with people on older software.
What is WebP?
WebP is a web image format from Google that is typically 25–35 % smaller than JPG at the same visual quality, and it supports transparency and animation. All current browsers display it.
What is PNG?
PNG stores every pixel exactly, with an optional transparency channel. That makes it the usual choice for screenshots, logos, diagrams and anything with sharp edges or text.
Can I convert between WebP and PNG?
Yes — free, in batches and without an account. Convert WebP to PNG, or Convert PNG to WebP with the converter linked on this page.