How to Convert JPG to WebP (and When You Should)

What WebP is, how much smaller it makes photos, browser support, and step-by-step instructions to convert JPG to WebP free in your browser.

WebP is an image format developed by Google that produces noticeably smaller files than JPG at the same visual quality. If you run a website, converting photos to WebP is one of the easiest ways to make pages load faster.

What is WebP?

WebP supports both lossy compression (like JPG) and lossless compression (like PNG), as well as transparency and animation. For photographs, lossy WebP is typically around 25–35% smaller than an equivalent-quality JPG, according to Google’s published comparisons, and in practice savings depend on the image.

Is WebP supported everywhere?

All current major browsers — Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari (since version 14 on macOS Big Sur and iOS 14) and Samsung Internet — display WebP. Where you may still meet problems:

  • Some older desktop software and photo viewers.
  • Some email clients.
  • Print services and marketplaces that only accept JPG or PNG.

For websites, WebP is safe to use today. Keep your original JPGs for other purposes.

How to convert JPG to WebP in your browser

  1. Open the JPG to WebP Converter.
  2. Choose, drag in or paste your JPG photo. It is processed on your device — nothing is uploaded.
  3. Set quality. Start at 80% for photos.
  4. Check the size saving shown under the preview.
  5. Click Download.

For PNG graphics with transparency use the PNG to WebP Converter, which keeps the transparent background.

Choosing a quality setting

Image typeSuggested WebP quality
Photos for blogs and products75–85%
Hero / banner images80–85%
Screenshots with text85–95%
Logos and icons90–100% (or lossless PNG/SVG)

Get even smaller files: resize first

Converting a 4000-pixel photo to WebP still gives a large file. Resize it first with the Image Resizer to the width it will be displayed (often 1200–1600 px). Combined, resizing and WebP conversion commonly cut file sizes by 80–95%.

Using WebP on your website

If you are writing HTML, simply reference the WebP file:

<img src="/images/product.webp" alt="Handmade leather wallet" width="1200" height="900" loading="lazy">

Always include width and height attributes to prevent layout shift, and loading="lazy" for images below the first screen. Most content management systems (WordPress, Shopify) can also serve WebP automatically through settings or plugins.

Converting WebP back to JPG

Downloaded an image as .webp and an app will not open it? Use the WebP Converter and choose JPG or PNG as the output.

Summary

WebP gives smaller photos with no visible loss and is supported by all modern browsers. Resize, convert at about 80% quality, and keep your originals as backups.

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