Guide ยท Images

WebP vs PNG: which should you use?

WebP is Google's modern web image format; PNG is the lossless workhorse that's been around forever. They overlap more than most formats, both are lossless-capable and both do transparency, so the choice comes down to size vs universal compatibility.

File size

This is WebP's headline win. In lossless mode, WebP files are typically around 25% smaller than the equivalent PNG, and WebP also has a lossy mode PNG doesn't, handy for photographic content where you can trade a little fidelity for a much smaller file. For a website serving thousands of images, that adds up to real bandwidth and load-time savings.

Quality & transparency

Both are lossless when you want them to be, and both support an alpha channel, so transparency isn't a deciding factor here (unlike PNG vs JPG). Lossless WebP is pixel-for-pixel faithful just like PNG. WebP can also do animation, making it a lighter alternative to animated GIFs.

Compatibility

PNG's advantage is that it opens absolutely everywhere, every browser, editor, document tool, email client and OS, no exceptions. WebP support in browsers is now effectively universal, but it still lags in places PNG doesn't: some older desktop image editors, certain email clients, and legacy software may not open a WebP. For images embedded on a website, WebP is great; for a file you're sending someone to open in a random app, PNG is the safer bet.

When to use which

Convert either way

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Comparing against JPG instead? See PNG vs JPG.

TL;DR

WebP for the web, smaller, modern, still does transparency. PNG for compatibility, editing and sharing. When a file needs to open anywhere, reach for PNG.