Short answer: To convert PNG to WebP, upload the image to a converter and choose WebP as the output format. Because WebP supports transparency, it can be used for logos, icons, and interface graphics where PNG is normally used without any visible distortion; the same image is usually stored in a smaller file. That means the page downloads less data and your images appear faster.
What is the WebP format and how does it differ from PNG?
WebP is a modern image format that supports lossy and lossless compression, transparency, and animation all in a single format. PNG, by contrast, offers lossless compression and transparency but has no animation support; on top of that, PNG files grow noticeably larger with photo-like images.
The main differences between the two formats can be summarized as follows:
- **Compression options:** PNG only works losslessly. WebP has both a lossless and a lossy mode. You can prefer lossy mode for photos and lossless mode for illustrations and interface graphics.
- **Transparency:** Both formats support an alpha channel (transparency). So when you convert PNG to WebP, the background needs to stay transparent.
- **File size tendency:** For the same image, the WebP output is usually smaller than PNG; the difference depends on whether the image is a photo or a flat-colored graphic.
- **Animation:** WebP supports animated images, PNG does not.
- **Browser support:** Today's common browsers support WebP. Even so, keeping a fallback format is a good habit for projects targeting very old systems.
How does converting PNG to WebP speed up a website?
Converting PNG to WebP shortens page load time because it reduces the total amount of data downloaded from the server. Since images are among the heaviest assets on a page, serving the same image in a smaller file lets the browser paint the image earlier.
The effect on search performance is indirect but important:
- Fewer bytes are downloaded. The visitor's connection, especially on mobile networks, sees the same image with less data.
- The load time of the largest image improves. The LCP metric within Core Web Vitals depends largely on the page's main image; a smaller file affects this metric positively.
- Total page weight drops. When dozens of small icons and logos on the same page are combined, the gain becomes noticeable.
- Bandwidth cost decreases. The amount of data transferred on the server side goes down.
None of these points on its own is a "ranking guarantee"; speed is only one of the signals search engines take into account.
How do I convert PNG to WebP?
The steps you need to follow to convert PNG to WebP are as follows:
- Identify the files to convert. List the PNG images on your site; give priority to the large ones and to the main images that appear in the upper part of the page.
- Back up the source files. Keep the original PNGs in a separate folder, since you may want to revert after converting.
- Open the converter and choose the output format. You can use the [PNG → WEBP](/tool/png-to-webp) tool for this; after adding the file, make sure the output format is WebP.
- Decide on the compression mode. Lossy mode gives better results for photo-heavy images, while lossless mode is better suited to illustrations, logos, and images containing text.
- Check transparency. Especially with logos and icons, verify that no white halo or black background appears around the edges after conversion.
- Compare the output. Examine the new WebP file side by side with the original PNG; if there is visible quality loss, raise the quality setting and try again.
- Apply it to your site. Use WebP as the primary source in the HTML and leave PNG as a fallback for older browsers. The `picture` tag is suitable for this scenario.
- Measure the result. After the update, compare page weight and image load time.
When doing bulk conversions, be careful to preserve the file names; if the names change, the links on your site will break.
Should I choose PNG or WebP?
Which format you choose depends on the type of image and its intended use. The table below makes it easier to decide:
| Use case | Recommended format | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Photos and large images on a site | WebP | Noticeably smaller file in lossy mode |
| Logos and icons with transparent backgrounds | WebP (lossless) | Transparency is preserved, and the file is usually smaller |
| Animated images or short GIFs | WebP | PNG does not support animation |
| Printing, press, CMYK workflows | PNG | Print processes are centered on PNG and TIFF |
| Compatibility with old software | PNG | Not every application opens WebP |
| Heavy editing later on | PNG | A lossless source stands up to repeated editing |
If you need to edit the WebP source file later, you can first get a lossless working file with the WEBP → PNG conversion.
When should you stay with PNG?
The situations where you should stay with PNG are about compatibility and workflow rather than file size. Prepress preparation, printing processes, work requiring the CMYK color space, and design files where transparency needs to be preserved in layers are at the top of the list.
Beyond that, PNG is the safer choice in scenarios where users will download the file and open it in their own program; older versions of image editors may not recognize WebP. And with very small icons the gain may remain limited, because small PNG files are already light. In such cases, rather than forcing the conversion, moving only the large images to WebP is more efficient.
If your site has both JPG and PNG images, you can also convert the JPG side with the JPG → WEBP tool and establish a consistent image policy.
What should I watch out for when switching to WebP?
The most common mistake when switching to WebP is not checking image quality after conversion. When the compression setting is kept too low, distortion appears especially in thin lines, images containing text, and gradient backgrounds; that is why you need to try a separate setting for each type of image.
The second point to watch is file names and HTML references. If you do not update the paths of files that have moved to WebP, a broken image icon will appear on the page. The third point is keeping a fallback format: if you define WebP as the primary source and PNG as an alternative source with the `picture` tag, older browsers will display the images without problems too. Finally, separately verify that the formats used in areas such as the sitemap and social media sharing images are supported by those platforms.
Frequently asked questions
Does transparency disappear when I convert PNG to WebP?
It does not disappear. WebP supports the alpha channel, so a PNG with a transparent background keeps its transparency when converted with the right settings. You are just advised to check the image on a transparent background after conversion.
Does a WebP file open in every browser?
Today's common browsers support WebP. However, keeping a PNG fallback is a safe approach for projects targeting very old browsers or desktop software that does not recognize WebP.
Should I delete the original PNG files after converting?
You should not delete them right away. The original PNGs serve both as a quality comparison and as a source for future edits. It is healthier to archive them after you have added the new files to your site and verified the result.
Can I convert a WebP file back to PNG?
You can, but a PNG produced from a lossily compressed WebP does not bring back the lost detail; it only moves the file into a format that can be opened anywhere. To preserve source quality, always do the conversion from the highest-quality file you have.
Should I convert my JPG images to WebP as well?
Usually yes; since WebP offers both lossy and lossless modes, you can bring different image types together in one format. If you need JPG output for print or for a platform that does not support WebP, you can go back with the WEBP → JPG tool.