- WebP reduces image size without losing quality, speeding up web loading.
- Its main advantages are flexibility of compression, transparency support and animations.
- Converting to JPG or PNG is simple and maintains universal compatibility.
Today, knowing how to navigate between different image formats is almost an essential skill. The rise of WebP is due, above all, to its efficiency and its commitment to web optimization., but it's not always as easy to use as its older counterparts. Therefore, understanding what it's used for, how it differs from others, and how to transform it has become a practical necessity, especially if you manage online content, work in graphic design, or simply want to make the most of your image library.
What is the WebP format and why is it used?
The format WebP has arrived to revolutionize the way we store and share images on the web. It is a format developed by Google with the aim of offering Much lighter image files without losing visual quality, something key to improving the loading speed of any web page and, consequently, its positioning SEOThis detail is not minor, as search engines like Google and Bing increasingly reward optimization and efficiency.
How does WebP stand out compared to traditional formats? Advanced compression is its main attraction: gets reduce image size by up to 30% compared to JPG and PNG, which is a big advantage, especially on sites where fast loading is essential. In addition, supports both lossy and lossless compression, as well as transparency (alpha channel), animations, and metadata. All of this has led to WebP gaining ground among web developers and designers, although its adoption is not yet universal.
Advantages and disadvantages of the WebP format
WebP It is not only designed for static images. It offers support for animations like the GIF format, but with much higher quality and a much smaller size. It also allows preserve transparency in images, a feature that until recently was reserved almost exclusively for PNG.
Despite all these advantages, WebP also has limitations. Compatibility is not yet 100% across all programs and devices.For example, while modern browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Edge already support it, older browsers—or specific applications—may have difficulty opening or editing these files.
On the other hand, while WebP compression is much more efficient, Every compression process involves some loss of quality, although in this case it's usually imperceptible to the human eye. Another drawback is that sharing or editing WebP images can be complicated if you use outdated tools, so sometimes it's necessary to convert them to more universal formats.
Differences between WebP, JPG and PNG
When it comes to images on the internet, WebP, JPG, and PNG are the most popular formats, but each one meets different needs. JPG (or JPEG) is the king of online photographs. Its great advantage lies in lossy compression, which allows for really small file sizes, perfect for publishing images where fine detail isn't paramount and loading speed is key. However, the higher the compression, the more the visual quality degrades. Furthermore, does not support transparencies, which limits it in graphic design work.
PNG, on the other hand, was designed in the 90s as a response to the GIF, seeking a royalty-free alternative. It is characterized by its lossless compression, so image quality doesn't deteriorate even if you edit and save it multiple times. It's the ideal choice for web graphics, logos, and images with transparent backgrounds. Its weak point is its size: PNG files are usually considerably larger than JPGs, which can slow down the loading of a website if overused.
WebP aims to bring together the best of both worlds. It is flexible and can be used in lossy or lossless compression mode., matching or surpassing the quality of PNG while achieving sizes close to JPG. It also supports transparency and animation, making it a comprehensive solution for today's web developers.
Why convert WebP to JPG or PNG?
Despite the virtues of WebP, Not all software and devices allow you to view or edit images in this format.If you have a WebP image and want to share it, insert it into a document, edit it in an older application, or simply print it, the program you're using may not be able to open it correctly. This is where converting to universal formats like JPG or PNG becomes important.
Top Methods to Convert WebP to JPG or PNG
The good news is that converting WebP images to other formats is easier than it seems, and you can do it without installing complex programs or paying expensive licenses. Here are the most practical and recommended methods:
Use browser extensions
If you work a lot from the browser, there are specific extensions for Chrome and Edge that convert directly from any web page. One of the most popular is "Save as JPG/PNG/WebP." It's easy to install, and once added, you just right-click on any WebP image you find online and select the option to save it as JPG or PNG. It's convenient, fast, and requires no intermediate steps.
Convert with pre-installed tools on Windows and Mac
En Windows 11, you can take advantage Paint, the editing tool that comes with the operating system. Simply open the WebP image with Paint (right-click, "Open with," and select Paint), go to "File > Save As," and choose the desired format (JPG or PNG). You can also use similar functions in default tools in other systems.
On the other hand, users of Mac You can do the same with the Preview app. Open the image, click "File > Export," select the final format, and save the file. These two methods are ideal if you're looking for a quick and hassle-free solution.
Free online converters
There are online platforms such as Convertio, OnlineConvert, AnyWebP or the converter itself Google Chrome with a plugin, which allows you to upload WebP images and download them in the format you need. They're useful for converting both individual images and in batches, and they don't usually require registration or installation. Typically, the process is as simple as uploading the file, selecting the output format (JPG or PNG), waiting a few seconds, and downloading the converted image.
Professional programs: Photoshop and advanced editors
If you use Adobe Photoshop In its most recent version, you can directly open WebP files and export them as JPG or PNG. Simply open the image, access the export option, choose the desired format, select the quality, and save the image. Another alternative is to use free editors such as Photopea, which mimics Photoshop's interface and capabilities from the browser and supports WebP seamlessly, making it ideal if you're looking for something powerful but without installing anything.
Plugins for WordPress websites
If you manage a website with WordPress, there are plugins like WebP Express, WebP Converter for Media or Imagify These integrate into your admin panel and automatically convert images upon upload, keeping the original files and serving the optimized version only when the visitor's browser supports it. It's an automated solution that can save you a lot of work if you manage large image libraries.
How to convert WebP images to JPG or PNG step by step?
Let's detail some of the most common processes so you can adapt the method to your specific needs:
- With Paint in Windows: Right-click the downloaded WebP image, select "Open With" > "Paint." Then, in the top menu, click "File" > "Save As" and choose JPG or PNG.
- With Preview on Mac: Open the file with Preview, click “File” > “Export,” select the format, and save the image.
- Online converters: Go to a website like Convertio, upload the WebP image, choose the output format, click "Convert," and download the resulting image.
- Browser extension: Install "Save as JPG/PNG/WebP" in Chrome, right-click on the WebP image, and choose the option to save in the desired format.
- Photoshop: Open the WebP image, select File > Export > Export As…, choose JPG or PNG, adjust the quality, and save.
How to convert your JPG or PNG images to WebP
If what you need is just the opposite, that is, convert traditional images to WebP To improve the optimization of your website, the options are very similar:
- Online converters: Platforms like Convertio allow you to select JPG or PNG input and quickly convert it to WebP format.
- Plugins in WordPress: WebP Express or Imagify automatically convert your images when you upload them, keeping the originals for full compatibility.
- Image editors: Photopea and Photoshop (latest versions) let you save any edit directly in WebP format, choosing optimal compression and quality.
Technical characteristics of WebP
It's worth reviewing some technical details to understand why WebP has caused such a stir:
- Lossy and lossless compression: Allows you to adjust the balance between quality and size according to your needs.
- Transparency (alpha channel): Very useful for graphics, logos or images without a background.
- Animations: GIF replacement, but with much less loss and greater efficiency.
- Metadata and ICC color profile support: They are adapted to professional uses and cataloging needs.
- Weight reduction of more than 30% compared to JPG/PNG: Especially useful for optimizing web performance.
Limitations, compatibility, and tips for using WebP on your website
Although more and more applications, browsers and platforms support WebP, it is important to note that Not all users will always have access to this formatSafari, for example, recently expanded its compatibility, but older browser versions and some systems still can't open it by default.
That's why many websites choose to serve the original images along with their WebP version, displaying the optimized version only when the browser allows it. It may require converting WebP to other formats, ensuring compatibility everywhere.
In a professional setting, this is also vital before converting them to WebP, especially if you plan to make future edits. This will prevent quality degradation when performing subsequent conversions.
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