WebP vs PNG: Which Image Format Should You Use?
PNG and WebP are both excellent image formats, but they solve different problems. PNG is the long-time standard for lossless images with transparency; WebP is the modern format that beats it on file size in almost every scenario.
Here's how to decide which one to use, and when it's worth converting.
File size: WebP wins by a wide margin
At the same visual quality, WebP files are typically 25–35% smaller than PNG. For photographs, the gap is even larger. The smaller file means faster page loads and lower bandwidth costs.
Quality: it depends what you need
PNG is lossless by default — every pixel is preserved. WebP can be lossless too, and it can also be lossy, which is where the size savings come from. For logos, icons, and text, lossless PNG (or lossless WebP) is the right call. For anything else, lossy WebP at quality 75–90 looks identical to the naked eye.
Transparency: both support it
PNG is famous for transparency. WebP also supports alpha transparency, so you don't have to give up transparent backgrounds when you switch.
Browser support: no reason to wait
WebP is supported in every major browser — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. PNG remains the safer choice for very old software, but for anything on the modern web, WebP is safe to use today.
Use WebP for photos, gradients, and most web images — it's smaller and supported everywhere. Keep PNG for icons, logos, and images that need lossless quality and maximum compatibility. When in doubt, convert and compare: our PNG to WebP converter shows you the exact size difference for your own image.