What is a WEBP file? [+ How to Open and Use]

What is a WEBP file?

A WEBP file is a modern image format developed by Google. Standing for Web Picture, it provides superior lossless and lossy compression for web images. WEBP files are designed specifically to help optimize web performance by reducing the file size of images, without impacting the visual clarity.

This format supports both lossless and lossy compression, including animation. An interesting aspect of the WEBP file format is its ability to reduce file size up to 34% smaller than equivalent JPEG and PNG formats. Essentially, it means your web pages load faster and consume less bandwidth.

What are WEBP files for?

WEBP files are used mainly to accelerate the loading speed of web pages where high-quality images are required. Due to their quality preservation and smaller file size, they are extremely useful in today's fast-paced digital era where page load times can impact user experience and SEO rankings.

Some of the popular uses of WEBP files include product images on ecommerce sites, photo galleries, social media platforms, and any online platform that involve images. A real-world example of the implementation of this format is Google Play Store. It significantly helps in saving bandwidth as per Google.

How to Open WEBP files?

WEBP files can be opened and viewed using a variety of applications. Most browsers like Google Chrome and Opera browsers support viewing WEBP files, and there are several image editors and conversion tools that can handle this format.

The most commonly used tool is Google Chrome, which allows you to view the file directly. You may also open and edit WEBP files using image editing software such as Paint.NET and the GIMP. Additionally, there are several online tools that help convert the WEBP file into other file formats such as JPEG and PNG.

What other file types are related to WEBP files?

Several file types are related to WEBP files such as:

• JPEG - A commonly used format for lossy compression for digital images.
• PNG - A raster-graphics file format that supports lossless data compression.
• GIF - A bitmap image format often used for simple animations and low-resolution film clips.

Each of these file types has its own advantages and uses. However, WEBP files presents a significant advantage with its lossy and lossless compression techniques, making it a great choice for enhancing the performance of web pages.

How to Convert WEBP files to JPG (For Windows, Mac, and More)

Converting WEBP files to JPG is a process that allows you to transform Google's WebP image format into the more widely supported JPEG format. This conversion is particularly useful for ensuring compatibility across a broad range of devices and software that may not support the WebP format. Here’s a step-by-step guide to convert WEBP images to JPG format:

1. Using Paint (Windows):
2. • Right-click on the WEBP file and select "Open with" > "Paint."
   • Once the image is open in Paint, click on "File" in the menu bar, then choose "Save as."
   • From the list of file formats, select "JPEG picture."
   • Choose your desired location, name the file, and click "Save."
2. Using Preview (macOS):
3. • Open the WEBP file in Preview.
   • Click on "File" in the menu bar and select "Export."
   • In the export dialog box, choose "JPEG" from the format dropdown menu.
   • Adjust the quality slider as necessary, select your location, and click "Save."
3. Using Online Conversion Tools:
4. • Utilize online conversion tools for a quick and easy conversion without the need for installing software. Websites like Zamzar, CloudConvert, and Convertio offer free conversion services.
   • Visit one of these websites, upload your WEBP file, select JPG as the target format, and then follow the instructions to convert it.
   • Download the converted JPG file once the process is complete. Be mindful of privacy and security when using online services with personal or sensitive images.
4. Using Image Editing Software:
5. • Open the WEBP file with an image editor like Adobe Photoshop or GIMP.
   • Look for an option to "Save As" or "Export" within the application.
   • Select "JPEG" as the output format. Adjust the quality and other settings as needed, then save the file.
5. Using Command Line Tools (Advanced Users):
6. • For those comfortable with command-line interfaces, tools like dwebp (part of the WebP command-line tools provided by Google) can convert WEBP files to JPG.
   • Install the WebP command-line tools from the official Google WebP website.
   • Open a command prompt or terminal window and use a command like dwebp input.webp -o output.jpg to convert the file.

Each of these methods provides a reliable way to convert WEBP files to JPG, ensuring your images are accessible and usable across a wide variety of platforms and applications.

Opening WEBP Files in Photoshop

Opening WEBP files in Adobe Photoshop allows graphic designers and photographers to work with this modern image format in a professional editing environment. Despite Photoshop's extensive file format support, older versions may require additional steps to handle WEBP files. Here's how to open WEBP files in Adobe Photoshop:

1. Update Photoshop:
2. • Ensure you have the latest version of Adobe Photoshop installed. Adobe continuously updates Photoshop to support new formats, including WEBP. Check for updates via the Creative Cloud application or the Photoshop help menu. As of my last update in April 2023, the most recent versions of Photoshop should have built-in support for WEBP files.
2. Using a Plugin:
3. • If you're using an older version of Photoshop that does not natively support WEBP files, you might need to install a plugin. A popular option is the 'WebPShop' plugin, which is an official plugin from Google.
   • To install the plugin, download it from the official GitHub repository or the Adobe Exchange. Make sure to select the version compatible with your operating system (Windows or macOS).
   • Once downloaded, copy the plugin file (WebPShop.8bi for Windows, WebPShop.plugin for macOS) into the Photoshop Plug-ins folder. The default path usually is C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop\[Photoshop_Version]\Plug-ins on Windows or /Applications/Adobe Photoshop [Version]/Plug-ins/ on macOS.
   • Restart Photoshop after installing the plugin. You should now be able to open WEBP files directly via the File > Open menu.
3. Convert WEBP to a Compatible Format:
4. • If you prefer not to install a plugin or if you're using a version of Photoshop that cannot be updated, convert the WEBP file to a format that Photoshop recognizes (such as JPEG or PNG) using an online converter or image viewer that supports saving in different formats.
   • After converting the file, open it in Photoshop as you would with any other supported file type.
4. Drag and Drop (For Supported Versions):
5. • In newer versions of Photoshop with native WEBP support, you might be able to open a WEBP file by simply dragging and dropping it into the Photoshop window or using the File > Open menu.
5. Troubleshooting:
6. • If you encounter issues opening WEBP files even after installing the plugin or updating Photoshop, double-check the plugin installation path to ensure it's correctly placed in the Plug-ins folder.
   • Additionally, verify that the WEBP file is not corrupted. Try opening it in a web browser or another image viewer to confirm the file is intact.