PNG to WebP Converter
Convert PNG to WebP for faster websites. WebP delivers the same quality at up to 30% smaller file sizes than PNG.
Drag & drop your PNG file here
or click to browse · Max 10 MB
WebP Has Two Modes, and PNG Files Should Usually Use the Lossless One
Most discussion of WebP is about its lossy mode competing with JPEG. But WebP also has a completely separate lossless encoder, and that is the one that matters when your source is a PNG. It is not a scaled-down version of the lossy codec — it uses different techniques entirely: a colour cache for recently used pixels, backward references to repeated patterns, and per-region entropy coding.
Applied to the flat colour, sharp edges and repeated structures typical of logos, icons, screenshots and UI graphics, lossless WebP consistently beats PNG's DEFLATE by roughly 25–30% on identical pixel data. Not approximately identical — bit-for-bit identical. Every pixel and every level of alpha transparency is preserved exactly.
So the honest framing for this conversion is: if your PNG is a graphic, lossless WebP gives you a smaller file with literally zero visual trade-off. If your PNG happens to contain a photograph, lossy WebP will shrink it dramatically further, at which point you are making the usual quality-versus-size decision.
Lossless WebP vs PNG on the Same Graphic
A 1200 × 800 px UI screenshot with a transparent border, encoded from the same source.
The lossless bar is pixel-identical to the PNG. The lossy bar is not — on screenshots containing small text, lossy encoding will soften the letterforms.
Transparency Survives Intact
This is the main reason PNG to WebP is a safer conversion than PNG to JPG. WebP carries a full 8-bit alpha channel, exactly like PNG, so soft shadows, feathered edges and partially transparent pixels all come through unchanged. You do not get the white box that JPG forces on you. For a logo that needs to sit on arbitrary backgrounds, WebP is a genuine drop-in replacement rather than a compromise.
Deciding Whether to Convert
- ✓The PNG is served on a website and page weight matters
- ✓You want smaller files without giving up transparency
- ✓Lighthouse or PageSpeed flags 'serve images in next-gen formats'
- ✓You have many UI graphics or icons adding up to real bandwidth
- ✕The file goes into email, print, or third-party software
- ✕It is a master copy in an editing pipeline
- ✕You need 16-bit-per-channel colour depth, which WebP does not support
- ✕The recipient's tools may not read WebP reliably
PNG vs WebP
| Property | PNG | WebP |
|---|---|---|
| Lossless mode | Always | Yes, plus a lossy mode |
| Compression method | DEFLATE | Colour cache + backward references |
| Transparency | 8-bit alpha | 8-bit alpha |
| Colour depth | Up to 16 bits per channel | 8 bits per channel |
| Animation | No | Yes |
| Typical graphic size | Baseline | 25–30% smaller lossless |
| Universal compatibility | Yes | Browsers yes, other software varies |
How to Convert PNG to WebP
- 1.Upload your PNG. Drag it onto the uploader above or click to browse.
- 2.Convert to WebP. The alpha channel is carried across in full, so transparent and semi-transparent pixels are preserved.
- 3.Download and deploy. Serve the WebP on your site and keep the PNG for anything that leaves the browser.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does WebP support transparency like PNG?
Yes. WebP supports full alpha channel transparency, just like PNG. Your transparent PNG backgrounds will be preserved in the WebP output.
How much smaller is WebP compared to PNG?
WebP is typically 25–35% smaller than PNG at the same visual quality. For photos and complex images the savings can be even greater.
Do all browsers support WebP?
Yes. As of 2024, all major browsers support WebP — including Chrome, Firefox, Safari (since 2020), and Edge. WebP is safe to use on any modern website.
Will converting PNG to WebP improve my PageSpeed score?
Yes. Google PageSpeed Insights and Lighthouse both recommend serving images in next-gen formats like WebP. Switching from PNG to WebP can significantly improve your score.
Is lossless WebP really identical to the PNG?
Yes — bit-for-bit identical pixel data, including every level of alpha transparency. Lossless WebP uses a different compression algorithm from PNG's DEFLATE, so it reaches a smaller file without discarding anything. Nothing is approximated or averaged.
Should I use lossy or lossless WebP for my PNG?
If the image is a logo, icon, screenshot or any graphic with text and flat colour, lossless is the right choice — it is smaller than PNG with no visual change at all. If the PNG contains a photograph, lossy WebP will shrink it far more, and on continuous-tone imagery the difference is very hard to see.
Are there any PNG features WebP cannot store?
One worth knowing about: PNG supports up to 16 bits per colour channel, while WebP is limited to 8. This only matters for high-bit-depth work such as medical imaging or certain print masters. Ordinary web and design graphics are 8-bit already, so nothing is lost.