WebP is the modern image format that every website should be using in 2026. Developed by Google, it produces files that are 25–34% smaller than JPEG at the same quality, and also supports transparency (like PNG) and animation (like GIF). Here is why you should switch and exactly how to do it.
What Is WebP?
WebP (Web Picture format) was created by Google in 2010 and uses advanced compression technology based on VP8 video coding. It supports:
- Lossy compression — like JPEG, for photographs
- Lossless compression — like PNG, for graphics
- Transparency (alpha channel) — like PNG
- Animation — like GIF but much smaller
WebP vs JPEG vs PNG — Size Comparison
In our testing with typical web images:
- A 1MB JPEG photo → converted to WebP = ~680KB at equal quality (32% smaller)
- A 500KB PNG graphic → converted to WebP = ~280KB (44% smaller)
- A PNG with transparency → WebP lossless = ~30% smaller
Browser Support in 2026
WebP is supported by all modern browsers — Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge, Opera, and all mobile browsers. Global support is over 97%. You no longer need to provide JPEG fallbacks for modern audiences.
How to Convert Your Images to WebP
- Go to pixelforge.com/image-format-converter
- Upload your JPEG or PNG images (multiple files supported)
- Select WebP as the target format
- Click "Convert All"
- Download your WebP files
The entire process takes under a minute for most images.
After Converting — Use the Right HTML
To serve WebP while maintaining compatibility, use the HTML picture element:
<picture>
<source srcset="image.webp" type="image/webp">
<img src="image.jpg" alt="Description">
</picture>Modern browsers will use the WebP version; older browsers fall back to the JPEG.
WordPress and WebP
WordPress 5.8+ supports WebP natively. When you upload a WebP file to the media library, it handles it correctly. Several popular plugins (Smush, ShortPixel, Imagify) can also automatically convert uploaded images to WebP.
Compress WebP for Even Smaller Files
After converting to WebP, run the files through our Image Compressor at 80% quality for additional size savings.
Convert to WebP now: Free Format Converter →