How to Convert WebP Images to PNG or JPG

WebP is a modern image format developed by Google that offers impressive compression, but it's not universally supported. If you've downloaded a WebP image and can't open it, or need to upload an image to a service that doesn't accept WebP, you'll need to convert it to PNG or JPG.

This comprehensive guide explains exactly how to convert WebP images quickly and easily, using both online tools and offline methods.

What is WebP?

WebP (pronounced "weppy") is an image format developed by Google in 2010. It supports both lossy and lossless compression, as well as transparency and animation.

Why Websites Use WebP

Many websites serve images in WebP format because:

• Smaller file sizes: 25-35% smaller than JPG and PNG
• Faster loading: Reduces bandwidth and improves performance
• SEO benefits: Faster sites rank better in Google
• Modern features: Supports transparency (like PNG) and animation (like GIF)

The WebP Compatibility Problem

Despite being created in 2010, WebP still has compatibility issues:

Limited Support:

• Photo editing software: Many older versions can't open WebP
• Windows Photo Viewer: Doesn't support WebP
• Printing services: Most don't accept WebP format
• Social media: Some platforms have limited WebP support
• Email clients: Many can't display WebP attachments
• Older devices: Devices pre-2020 often can't open WebP

Supported Platforms:

• Modern web browsers (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari 14+)
• Windows 11 (native support)
• macOS Big Sur+ (Safari 14+)
• Recent Android and iOS versions
• Modern photo editors (Photoshop 23.2+, GIMP 2.10+)

Bottom line: If you need to edit, share, or print WebP images, you'll likely need to convert them.

How to Convert WebP to PNG or JPG Using ConvertFast

The easiest method is using our free online converter:

Convert WebP to PNG

PNG is best if you need:

• Transparency preservation
• Lossless quality
• Editing without quality loss

Steps:

1. Visit WebP to PNG Converter
2. Upload your WebP files (drag & drop or click to browse)
3. Convert - Click the convert button
4. Download your PNG files

Convert WebP to JPG

JPG is better if you need:

• Smaller file sizes
• Universal compatibility
• Social media/web use

Steps:

1. Visit WebP to JPG Converter
2. Upload your WebP files
3. Adjust quality (optional) - 90% recommended
4. Convert and download

Why Use ConvertFast?

• 100% Free - No registration or payment required
• Fast - Instant conversion in your browser
• Private - Files never leave your device
• Batch conversion - Convert multiple files simultaneously
• No limits - Convert unlimited files
• Quality control - Adjust compression settings
• Safe - No malware, no data collection

Alternative Methods to Convert WebP

Method 1: Windows 11 Paint

Windows 11 includes native WebP support:

1. Right-click the WebP file
2. Select Open with → Paint
3. Go to File → Save As
4. Choose PNG or JPEG
5. Click Save

Pros: Built-in, no installation Cons: Only Windows 11, manual process

Method 2: macOS Preview

macOS Big Sur and later support WebP:

1. Open WebP file in Preview
2. Go to File → Export
3. Select PNG or JPEG format
4. Adjust quality slider (if JPG)
5. Click Save

Pros: Native support, easy Cons: macOS Big Sur+ only, slow for batch

Method 3: Online Converters

Many online converters exist, but most have drawbacks:

Typical issues:

• Upload required (privacy concerns)
• File size limits
• Conversion limits
• Ads and popups
• Slow processing

ConvertFast advantage: Browser-based conversion (no upload), unlimited, ad-free

Method 4: GIMP (Free Software)

GIMP is a free image editor with WebP support:

1. Download and install GIMP
2. Open WebP file in GIMP
3. Go to File → Export As
4. Choose PNG or JPG format
5. Click Export

Pros: Free, powerful editing tools Cons: Large download, overkill for simple conversion

Method 5: Command Line (Advanced)

For developers and power users:

Using cwebp/dwebp tools:

# Convert WebP to PNG
dwebp input.webp -o output.png

# Convert WebP to JPG
dwebp input.webp -o output.jpg

Pros: Scriptable, batch processing Cons: Requires installation, technical knowledge

Method 6: Photoshop

Recent Photoshop versions (23.2+) support WebP:

1. Open WebP file in Photoshop
2. Go to File → Save As
3. Select PNG or JPEG
4. Configure quality settings
5. Click Save

Pros: Professional features Cons: Expensive subscription, overkill for conversion

WebP to PNG vs WebP to JPG: Which to Choose?

The decision depends on your needs:

Convert WebP to PNG When:

• Transparency: WebP has transparent backgrounds you need to keep
• Quality: You need lossless, perfect quality
• Editing: You'll edit the image further
• Graphics: Image contains text, logos, or sharp edges
• Screenshots: Converting screenshots with UI elements

File size impact: PNG will be larger than WebP, but maintains perfect quality

Convert WebP to JPG When:

• File size matters: You need smaller files
• Photos: Converting photographic images
• Web use: Uploading to websites or social media
• Email: Sending via email with size limits
• No transparency: Image doesn't have/need transparency

File size impact: JPG will be similar or slightly larger than WebP

Comparison Table

Batch Converting Multiple WebP Files

If you downloaded dozens of WebP images, batch conversion saves time:

Using ConvertFast (Recommended)

1. Visit WebP to PNG or WebP to JPG
2. Select multiple WebP files (Ctrl+click or Cmd+click)
3. Or drag an entire folder of WebP images
4. Click Convert All
5. Download as individual files or ZIP archive

Advantages:

• Processes hundreds of files simultaneously
• All conversion happens in your browser
• Download all conversions as one ZIP file
• No file limits

Using Windows Command Line

For developers wanting to automate:

# Using ImageMagick
magick mogrify -format png *.webp

# Using cwebp tools
for %f in (*.webp) do dwebp "%f" -o "%~nf.png"

Using macOS Terminal

# Using Homebrew + dwebp
brew install webp
for f in *.webp; do dwebp "$f" -o "${f%.webp}.png"; done

Preserving Image Quality During Conversion

To maintain maximum quality when converting WebP:

For PNG Conversion

PNG is lossless, so quality is automatically preserved:

• All pixels perfectly preserved
• No quality settings needed
• Larger file size but perfect quality

For JPG Conversion

Choose quality settings carefully:

• Quality 100%: Maximum quality, largest file size
• Quality 90-95%: Excellent quality, reasonable size (recommended)
• Quality 80-85%: Good quality, smaller files for web
• Quality 70% or less: Noticeable quality loss

Recommendation: Use 90% quality for photos, 95% for images with text.

Comparing Output

After conversion, compare original and converted:

1. Zoom to 100% in image viewer
2. Check edges, text, and fine details
3. If quality loss is visible, increase quality setting
4. Re-convert with higher quality

Troubleshooting WebP Conversion Issues

Problem 1: Can't Open WebP Files

Solution: Don't try to open them. Use ConvertFast to convert directly without opening.

Problem 2: Transparency Lost After Conversion

Solution: Convert to PNG (not JPG). JPG doesn't support transparency.

Problem 3: Converted Files Are Huge

Solution: You converted to PNG. If file size matters, convert to JPG at 85-90% quality instead.

Problem 4: Quality Loss Visible

Solution: Increase JPG quality to 95% or convert to PNG for lossless quality.

Problem 5: Batch Conversion Too Slow

Solution: Use ConvertFast's browser-based batch converter, which uses your computer's full processing power.

Problem 6: Animated WebP Becomes Static

Solution: Animated WebP files lose animation when converted to PNG/JPG. Consider converting to GIF or MP4 instead.

Understanding WebP File Extensions

WebP files typically use .webp extension, but sometimes:

• No extension at all
• .jpg or .png extension but actually WebP
• Hidden in browser cache

Identifying WebP Files

Windows:

• Right-click → Properties → Type should show "WebP"
• Open in text editor - starts with "RIFF" and contains "WEBP"

macOS:

• Right-click → Get Info → Kind shows "WebP image"

Linux:

file image.webp
# Output: image.webp: RIFF (little-endian) data, Web/P image

When NOT to Convert WebP

Keep WebP format if:

• Website source images: Many CMSs automatically convert for browsers
• Modern workflow: Your tools and recipients support WebP
• Storage optimization: You need the smallest possible files
• Web performance: Serving images on modern websites

Modern workflows increasingly support WebP natively, so conversion may be unnecessary.

WebP Conversion Quality Recommendations

Different use cases require different quality settings:

Social Media

• Facebook: JPG, 85-90% quality
• Instagram: JPG, 90-95% quality
• Twitter: JPG, 85-90% quality

Printing

• Home printer: JPG, 95-100% quality
• Professional print: PNG (lossless) or JPG 100%

Web Display

• Hero images: JPG, 80-85% quality
• Thumbnails: JPG, 75-80% quality
• Product photos: JPG, 90% quality

Archival

• Long-term storage: PNG (lossless)
• Photo backup: JPG, 95-100% quality

Frequently Asked Questions

Is WebP better than PNG or JPG?

WebP offers smaller file sizes than both PNG and JPG while maintaining quality. However, limited compatibility means PNG/JPG are often better for sharing.

Does converting WebP to PNG lose quality?

No. PNG is lossless, so quality is perfectly preserved during WebP to PNG conversion.

Why can't I open WebP files?

Your device or software doesn't support WebP format. Convert to PNG or JPG for universal compatibility.

How do I convert WebP to JPG without losing quality?

Use 90-95% quality setting during conversion. Some minimal quality loss is inherent to JPG's lossy compression, but it's imperceptible at high quality.

Can I convert WebP back to original format?

No. Once converted to WebP, the original format information is lost. However, you can convert WebP to any format you need.

Are online WebP converters safe?

ConvertFast is safe because conversion happens in your browser - files never leave your device. Be cautious with converters that upload files to servers.

What's better: WebP to PNG or WebP to JPG?

• PNG: Better for graphics, logos, screenshots, transparency
• JPG: Better for photos, smaller files, web use

Convert WebP Images Now

Ready to convert your WebP images? Use our free converters:

• WebP to PNG Converter - Preserve transparency and quality
• WebP to JPG Converter - Smaller files for photos
• Universal Image Converter - Convert between any formats

All converters are:

• 100% free
• Private (browser-based)
• No limits
• Support batch conversion

Related Articles

• WebP Format Explained
• PNG vs JPG: When to Use Each
• How to Convert HEIC to JPG

Conclusion

Converting WebP to PNG or JPG ensures your images work everywhere. While WebP offers excellent compression, PNG and JPG provide universal compatibility across devices, software, and platforms.

Key Takeaways:

• Use ConvertFast for fast, private, unlimited WebP conversion
• Convert to PNG for lossless quality and transparency
• Convert to JPG for smaller files and photo sharing
• Batch convert multiple WebP files simultaneously
• No software installation or upload required

Have questions about WebP conversion? Leave a comment below!