How to Convert PNG to WebP (and When You Shouldn't)
PNG is everywhere, but it's often the wrong choice for the web — it produces large files. WebP usually delivers the same result at a fraction of the size, with transparency intact. Here's when to make the switch and how.
Why WebP beats PNG for the web
WebP supports both lossless and lossy compression and an alpha channel for transparency. In practice that means:
- 25–35% smaller than PNG when using WebP's lossless mode.
- Up to 80% smaller when a little lossy compression is acceptable.
- Transparency preserved, so it's a true drop-in replacement for transparent PNGs.
Smaller images mean faster pages and better Core Web Vitals — which also helps SEO.
Browser support
WebP is supported by every current major browser — Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari. Unless you must support very old software, you can use WebP confidently on the web today.
How to convert
Drop your PNGs into our image converter, choose WebP, set a quality level (85% is a great default for photos; use the top of the range for graphics with hard edges), and download. Everything runs in your browser — nothing is uploaded.
When to keep PNG instead
- You need maximum compatibility with old or niche software that predates WebP.
- You're sharing a file for editing where the recipient expects PNG.
- The image is a tiny UI asset where the size difference is negligible.
For a broader comparison of when each format wins, read JPEG vs PNG vs WebP. And if your source is an iPhone photo, convert it with the HEIC to JPG tool first, then to WebP.