How to Convert PNG to WebP (5 Free Methods)

Why Convert to WebP Format?

Before diving into the how, here is why WebP conversion matters:

• File size reduction: WebP images are typically 26% smaller than PNG and 25-35% smaller than JPEG at equivalent visual quality.
• Faster page loads: Smaller images mean faster websites, better Core Web Vitals scores, and improved SEO rankings.
• Transparency support: Unlike JPEG, WebP preserves alpha channels from PNG files, making it ideal for logos and graphics.
• Browser support: All modern browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari 14+, Edge) now support WebP natively.
• Bandwidth savings: For high-traffic websites, WebP conversion can significantly reduce hosting and CDN costs.

Method 1: Convert PNG to WebP Online (Fastest)

The quickest way to convert PNG to WebP without losing quality is using a browser-based converter that processes files locally.

Step 1: Open the WebP converter

Navigate to QuickTools.one/convert-to-webp

Step 2: Drag and drop your files

Upload your PNG or JPG files into the upload area.

Step 3: Adjust quality

Set the quality slider (85% recommended for most uses).

Step 4: Download WebP files

Click Convert and download your WebP files.

This method works entirely in your browser. Your images never leave your device, making it safe for confidential files.

Method 2: Convert PNG to WebP on Mac

macOS includes built-in tools for WebP conversion through the Terminal.

Using sips (built-in)

macOS Monterey and later support WebP natively:

sips -s format webp input.png --out output.webp

Batch convert multiple files

for file in *.png; do sips -s format webp "$file" --out "${file%.png}.webp"; done

Using Homebrew and cwebp

For more control over compression:

brew install webp
cwebp -q 85 input.png -o output.webp

The -q flag sets quality from 0-100. Use 85 for standard web images, 95+ for photography.

Method 3: Convert PNG to WebP in Windows

Windows users have several options for WebP conversion.

Using Microsoft Paint (Windows 11)

Windows 11 Paint now supports WebP:

1. Open your PNG in Paint
2. Click File > Save as
3. Select WebP from the format dropdown
4. Choose quality and save

Using PowerShell with ImageMagick

Install ImageMagick, then run:

magick input.png -quality 85 output.webp

Batch convert with PowerShell

Get-ChildItem -Filter *.png | ForEach-Object {
    magick $_.FullName -quality 85 ($_.BaseName + ".webp")
}

Method 4: Convert PNG to WebP in Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop supports WebP export natively since version 23.2 (2022).

Export single image

1. Open your PNG in Photoshop
2. Go to File > Export > Export As
3. Select WebP from format dropdown
4. Adjust quality slider (80-90% recommended)
5. Click Export

Export settings explained

• Quality: 80-85% for web graphics, 90-95% for photography
• Lossy vs Lossless: Lossy creates smaller files, lossless preserves every pixel
• Metadata: Uncheck to reduce file size further

Method 5: Convert PNG to WebP in Canva

Canva allows WebP export for Pro users.

1. Open or create your design in Canva
2. Click Share > Download
3. Select WebP from file type dropdown
4. Click Download

Free Canva users can export as PNG, then use an online converter for WebP.

How to Convert PNG to WebP Without Losing Quality

Quality loss during WebP conversion depends on your settings:

For lossless conversion (zero quality loss)

Use 100% quality or enable lossless mode. The file will be larger but identical to the original.

• Online: Set quality slider to 100%
• Command line: cwebp -lossless input.png -o output.webp
• Photoshop: Check “Lossless” option in export dialog

For optimal web use (minimal visible loss)

85% quality provides excellent results for most images:

• 25-35% smaller than the original
• No visible difference at normal viewing sizes
• Suitable for product photos, blog images, hero graphics

Quality comparison by use case

How to Batch Convert Multiple Images to WebP

For large image libraries, batch conversion saves hours of manual work.

Online batch conversion

QuickTools.one/convert-to-webp supports multiple file uploads. Select all images, convert at once, and download as ZIP.

Command line batch conversion (Mac/Linux)

for file in *.png *.jpg; do cwebp -q 85 "$file" -o "${file%.*}.webp"; done

Windows PowerShell batch conversion

Get-ChildItem -Include *.png,*.jpg -Recurse | ForEach-Object {
    cwebp -q 85 $_.FullName -o ($_.DirectoryName + "\" + $_.BaseName + ".webp")
}

Using Node.js for automation

const sharp = require('sharp');
const glob = require('glob');

glob('images/*.{png,jpg}', (err, files) => {
  files.forEach(file => {
    sharp(file)
      .webp({ quality: 85 })
      .toFile(file.replace(/\.(png|jpg)$/, '.webp'));
  });
});

PNG to WebP vs JPG to WebP: Which Converts Better?

Both formats convert well to WebP, but with different characteristics:

PNG to WebP

• Transparency preserved automatically
• Best for logos, icons, graphics with text
• Lossless option maintains exact pixel data
• Larger source files see bigger percentage reductions

JPG to WebP

• Already lossy, so quality loss is cumulative
• Best for photographs, gradients, complex images
• 25-35% size reduction typical
• No transparency (same as original JPG)

WebP Browser Support in 2025

WebP now has universal support in modern browsers:

Providing fallbacks for older browsers

For the rare older browser, use the picture element:

<picture>
  <source srcset="image.webp" type="image/webp">
  <img src="image.jpg" alt="Description">
</picture>

This serves WebP to supported browsers and falls back to JPG for others.

Common WebP Conversion Problems and Fixes

Problem: WebP file is larger than original

Cause: Original was already highly compressed, or quality set too high

Fix: Lower quality to 75-80%, or keep the original format

Problem: Colors look different after conversion

Cause: Color profile mismatch

Fix: Convert color profile to sRGB before WebP conversion

Problem: Transparency missing in WebP

Cause: Exported as lossy WebP which discarded alpha channel

Fix: Use lossless mode or ensure PNG transparency is preserved in settings

Problem: WebP not displaying in some apps

Cause: Some image editors and apps still lack WebP support

Fix: Keep original files for editing, use WebP only for web delivery

Conclusion

Converting PNG to WebP or JPG to WebP is straightforward with the right tools. For quick conversions without quality loss, browser-based tools like QuickTools.one handle the job in seconds. For batch processing or automation, command-line tools provide more control.

The key points to remember:

• 85% quality works for most web images
• Use lossless mode when exact pixel preservation matters
• Keep original files and use WebP for distribution
• All modern browsers support WebP natively

Start converting your images to WebP today and see immediate improvements in page load times and bandwidth usage.

Related Image Tools

Looking to do more with your images? Check out these other free browser-based tools:

• Compress Image — Reduce file size without format conversion (see our complete guide)
• Resize Image — Change image dimensions by pixels
• Crop Image — Trim images to exact dimensions
• Remove Background — AI-powered background removal

Frequently Asked Questions

What is WebP format?

WebP is a modern image format developed by Google that provides superior lossless and lossy compression for images on the web. It offers 25-35% smaller file sizes compared to JPEG and PNG at equivalent visual quality.

How do I convert JPG to WebP?

Upload your JPG file to an online converter like QuickTools.one, adjust the quality slider to your preference (85% recommended), and click Convert. The WebP file downloads automatically.

Does WebP support transparency?

Yes, WebP supports transparency (alpha channel) like PNG, but with much smaller file sizes. When you convert PNG to WebP, transparency is preserved automatically.

Is WebP supported by all browsers?

WebP is supported by all modern browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Safari (14+), Edge, and Opera. For older browsers, you can provide fallback images in JPEG or PNG format.

How much smaller are WebP files?

WebP files are typically 25-35% smaller than equivalent JPEG files and up to 26% smaller than PNG files at the same visual quality. The exact reduction depends on the image content and compression settings.