What is PNG?
PNG is a lossless raster format: every pixel is kept exactly, and it supports full transparency (alpha channel). It is the standard for logos, screenshots, icons and graphics with text or sharp edges. PNG is best for logos, screenshots, graphics with text and anything that needs a transparent background. PNG files of photos are large, because lossless compression cannot discard fine detail the eye does not notice.
What is WebP?
WebP is an image format created by Google for the web. It supports lossy and lossless compression, transparency and animation, and usually makes files 25–35 % smaller than JPG or PNG at the same visual quality. WebP is best for fast-loading websites, online shops and blogs.
When should you convert PNG to WebP?
- Google PageSpeed asks you to “serve images in next-gen formats”.
- Your product photos or blog images make pages load slowly on mobile.
- You want transparent logos or cut-outs that are much smaller than PNG.
Tips for the best result
WebP keeps the alpha channel, so transparent PNGs stay transparent. Use 80–90 % quality for photos; for logos and flat graphics a quality of 90–100 % keeps edges perfectly clean.
PNG vs WebP at a glance
| PNG | WebP | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Raster | Raster |
| Compression | Lossless | Lossy or lossless |
| Transparency | Yes (full alpha) | Yes |
| Animation | No (APNG rarely used) | Yes |
| Compatibility | Universal | All current browsers; limited in older apps |
| Best for | Logos, screenshots, graphics with text and anything that needs a transparent background | Fast-loading websites, online shops and blogs |