Windows
Compatible applications
Quick Facts
Basic information about this file format
Extension
.WEBP
File Type
Web Picture format
Category
Image
Best first step
Use compatible software
Quick Summary
A practical overview of the .webp file format
WebP is a modern image format developed by Google that provides superior lossless and lossy compression for images on the web. It is designed to be a replacement for older image formats like JPEG, PNG, and GIF, offering smaller file sizes without sacrificing image quality. WebP supports both lossle…
File extension
.WEBP
File type
Web Picture format
Category
Image
Recommended action
Open with a trusted compatible app
How to open a .webp file
Start with a trusted app that supports this format
- Check the file extension carefully and confirm that the file name really ends with .webp.
- Use software that supports this file type. If one app does not work, try another compatible program for the same platform.
- Update the application if the file was created by a newer version of the software.
- Scan files from unknown sources before opening them, especially documents, archives, scripts, installers, and executable files.
What is a .webp file?
File extension details and usage information
WebP is a modern image format developed by Google that provides superior lossless and lossy compression for images on the web. It is designed to be a replacement for older image formats like JPEG, PNG, and GIF, offering smaller file sizes without sacrificing image quality. WebP supports both lossless and lossy compression, as well as animation and alpha transparency. Lossless WebP images are typically 26% smaller than PNGs, while lossy WebP images are 25-34% smaller than comparable JPEG images at equivalent SSIM quality index. This makes WebP an ideal choice for web developers looking to optimize website performance by reducing image file sizes, leading to faster page load times and improved user experience. WebP also supports features like animation (similar to GIFs) and alpha transparency (like PNGs), making it a versatile format for a wide range of image types. The format is widely supported by modern web browsers and image editing software, making it a practical choice for web-based images.
Software Compatibility
Programs that may open or work with .webp files
macOS
Compatible applications
Linux
Compatible applications
Mobile
Mobile applications
Can .webp files be converted?
Options for saving or exporting this file to another format
In many cases, a .webp file can be converted by opening it in compatible software and using an option such as Save As, Export, or Convert. The available output formats depend on the file type and the application used.
- Use the original software that created the file when possible.
- Check whether the application supports exporting to common formats.
- Be careful with online converters when working with private, business, or sensitive files.
- If conversion fails, the file may be corrupted, incomplete, encrypted, or not actually a .webp file.
Why can't I open a .webp file?
Common reasons this file type may not open correctly
Wrong software
The file may require a specific program that supports the .webp format.
Incorrect extension
The file extension may have been renamed manually, even though the actual file format is different.
Corrupted file
The file may be incomplete, damaged during download, or transferred incorrectly.
Outdated app
Your software may need to be updated before it can open newer versions of this file format.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about .webp files
To open a .webp file, use software that supports this file format.
- Google Chrome
- Mozilla Firefox
- Microsoft Edge
- IrfanView
- XnView
Open the file in compatible software and look for options such as Save As, Export, or Convert. If no export option is available, the file may require a specialized converter or the original application that created it.
- Verify that the file extension is correct.
- Install or update compatible software.
- Try another application that supports this format.
- Check whether the file is corrupted, incomplete, or encrypted.
A file extension alone does not guarantee whether a file is safe or unsafe. Only open files from trusted sources, scan unknown files before opening them, and be especially careful with executable, script, archive, and document files.
File safety tips
Use caution with unknown files
Only open files from trusted sources. Before opening a .webp file, scan it with antivirus software, verify that the file extension is expected, and avoid running unknown executable, installer, macro-enabled document, or script files.