PNG vs WebP: Choosing the Right Format for the Web
PNG has been the go-to format for lossless images and transparency for decades. WebP is its modern rival, offering similar features in much smaller files. The old advice — "WebP is not supported everywhere" — is now out of date.
This guide compares the two and explains when switching to WebP is worth it.
The short answer
For the web, WebP is usually the better choice: it supports transparency (alpha), handles both lossy and lossless compression, and often produces files 25–35% smaller than an equivalent PNG. All current versions of Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari support it.
Where PNG still wins
- You need a format accepted by absolutely every tool, including older software.
- You are archiving a source image and want a widely understood lossless format.
- A workflow or CMS only accepts PNG.
Where WebP wins
- Faster-loading websites — smaller files mean quicker page loads.
- Images with transparency that need to stay lightweight.
- Screenshots and graphics you want to shrink without visible quality loss.
- Anywhere you control the pipeline and can rely on modern browsers.
A note on quality
WebP comes in two flavours: lossy, which works like JPG and is great for photos, and lossless, which works like PNG for graphics and screenshots. That means one format covers nearly every use case.
Convert PNG to WebP in your browser
The PNG to WebP tool here converts your images locally using the Canvas API, so files are never uploaded. Drop one or many PNGs, download the WebP results, and measure the size difference for yourself.
Try it yourself — free and private
These tools run entirely in your browser. Nothing is uploaded.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is WebP better than PNG?
For the web, usually yes: WebP is smaller at similar quality and supported by all modern browsers. Keep PNG when you need maximum tool compatibility.
Does WebP support transparency?
Yes. WebP supports an alpha channel in both its lossy and lossless modes.
Will PNG to WebP conversion reduce quality?
If you keep lossless output, no detail is lost. Lossy WebP removes a small amount of detail but usually produces much smaller files.