PNG vs WebP: what's the difference?
Short answer: WebP does almost everything PNG does at a fraction of the size, but PNG still opens in more places.
| PNG | WebP | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Portable Network Graphics | WebP (Google) |
| File extensions | .png | .webp |
| MIME type | image/png | image/webp |
| Introduced | 1996 | 2010 |
| Compression | Lossless | Lossy and lossless |
| Transparency | Yes (full alpha) | Yes (full alpha) |
| Animation | APNG only | Yes |
| Typical file size | Large | Very small |
| Best for | screenshots, logos, graphics with text and anything that needs a transparent background | websites, because it is 25-35% smaller than JPG at the same quality |
| Compatibility | Universal: every browser, OS and editor | All modern browsers; some older desktop apps and upload forms still reject it |
File size
Lossless WebP is typically 25% smaller than PNG; lossy WebP with transparency can be 70-80% smaller.
Image quality
Both can be lossless. Lossy WebP is visually close to the original at quality 80-90 while keeping transparency, something JPG can't do.
Transparency and animation
PNG: transparency yes (full alpha), animation apng only. WebP: transparency yes (full alpha), animation yes.
Compatibility
PNG: Universal: every browser, OS and editor.
WebP: All modern browsers; some older desktop apps and upload forms still reject it.
When to use PNG
- Files you'll send to people or upload to forms
- Editing in older software
- Archiving master copies
When to use WebP
- Images on your own website (faster pages)
- Transparent product images and stickers
- Saving storage
Convert between PNG and WebP
Frequently asked questions
Is PNG better than WebP?
WebP does almost everything PNG does at a fraction of the size, but PNG still opens in more places.
Which is smaller, PNG or WebP?
Lossless WebP is typically 25% smaller than PNG; lossy WebP with transparency can be 70-80% smaller.
Which has better quality, PNG or WebP?
Both can be lossless. Lossy WebP is visually close to the original at quality 80-90 while keeping transparency, something JPG can't do.
How do I convert PNG to WebP?
Open the free PNG to WebP converter, add your files and download the results. It runs in your browser, so nothing is uploaded.