What is WebP?
WebP is a modern image format developed by Google that provides superior lossless and lossy compression for images on the web. It typically produces smaller file sizes than JPEG and PNG while maintaining comparable quality.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Web Picture Format |
|---|---|
| Created | 2010 by Google |
| Specification | Official Specification |
How WebP Works
WebP was introduced by Google in 2010 as a more efficient alternative to existing web image formats. It uses predictive coding based on VP8 video codec technology for lossy compression and can achieve 25-34% smaller file sizes than JPEG at equivalent quality. For lossless compression, WebP is typically 26% smaller than PNG. The format supports transparency (alpha channel), animation, and both lossy and lossless modes. WebP is now supported by all major browsers and is widely adopted for web optimization.
Key Characteristics
- 25-34% smaller than JPEG at equivalent quality
- 26% smaller than PNG for lossless images
- Supports both lossy and lossless compression
- Supports alpha channel transparency
- Supports animation (alternative to GIF)
- Based on VP8/VP9 video codec technology
Common Use Cases
- Website image optimization
- Mobile app graphics
- E-commerce product images
- Animated images (GIF replacement)
- Progressive web applications
Example
WebP vs Other Formats (same 1920x1080 image):
Format Size Quality Transparency
JPEG 200 KB 85% No
PNG 3.0 MB 100% Yes
WebP Lossy 150 KB 85% Yes
WebP Lossless 1.8 MB 100% Yes
Browser Support (2024):
- Chrome: Full support
- Firefox: Full support
- Safari: Full support (14+)
- Edge: Full support
HTML Usage:
<picture>
<source srcset="image.webp" type="image/webp">
<img src="image.jpg" alt="Fallback">
</picture>