How To Convert WebP to PNG

WebP and PNG are two widely used image formats, each with its strengths. WebP is known for its efficient compression, producing smaller file sizes with minimal loss in quality. On the other hand, PNG is a lossless format celebrated for its ability to maintain image quality and support transparency, making it ideal for professional and creative projects.

Despite WebP’s efficiency, its limited compatibility with certain browsers, devices, and software often forces you to convert images to PNG.

In this guide, we’ll walk through the differences between these formats, explore why you might need to convert them, and outline various methods to get the job done.

Why convert WebP to PNG? Benefits and best practices

While WebP excels in reducing file sizes for faster web performance, PNG remains the go-to format for specific use cases where quality and compatibility are non-negotiable.

Here’s why converting WebP to PNG might make sense:

Broad compatibility: PNG is universally supported across all platforms, devices, and browsers, making it a more reliable option for sharing and professional use.

Transparency handling: While both formats can preserve transparency, PNG is a lossless format, which means it preserves the original quality, including transparency, without any compression artifacts.

Editing flexibility: PNG’s lossless compression ensures that images can undergo multiple edits without degradation, unlike WebP, which may lose detail when re-saved.

Whether for design work, printing, or sharing across diverse platforms, converting to PNG ensures your images remain accessible and high-quality.

How to convert WebP to PNG

Converting online WebP to PNG is straightforward, and the method you choose depends on your preferences and tools available. Below, we’ll explore some of the most effective methods.

1. Online tools

Free image conversion tools are among the easiest ways to handle WebP to PNG conversions. They don’t require installation and are accessible on any device with an internet connection. Popular tools include:

CloudConvert: A versatile and free WebP to PNG converter with options to tweak image quality and resolution.

cloudconvert webp to png

Convertio: This user-friendly online image file converter supports free WebP to PNG conversions up to 100MB and integrates with cloud storage services like Google Drive and Dropbox.

convertio webp to png

Ezgif: Known for its simplicity, Ezgif lets you upload WebP files, convert them to PNG, and download the results instantly. It is one of the best WebP to PNG converter tools out there.

ezgif webp topng

Online tools are perfect for quick, one-off conversions but may not be ideal for large files or batch processing.

2. Desktop software

For more control and offline access, desktop applications like GIMP, IrfanView, and XnConvert are excellent options. These tools support batch processing and advanced features for image editing and optimization.

GIMP: To save a file as PNG (or any other format) from WebP, start by opening the file. Then, go to File > Export As, click on “Select File Type (By Extension),” choose PNG as the output format, and click the Export button.

gimp export webp to jpg

IrfanView: Load the WebP file, click File > Save As, and choose PNG under Save as type dropdown. This lightweight tool is ideal for batch conversions.

irfanview save as jpg

XnConvert is a free and user-friendly batch image converter. It supports over a lot of image formats, including WebP and PNG, and allows for both simple and advanced conversions.

To convert WebP to PNG in XnConvert:

  1. Under the Input tab, click “Add files” to select the images you want to convert.
  2. Go to the Output tab and select PNG under Format.
  3. Adjust any other settings as needed.
  4. Click the Convert button to complete the conversion.

This tool is great for batch conversions and is highly recommended for desktop use.

xnconvert batch webp to jpg

3. Command-line tools

To convert WebP format to PNG, you can also use the following command-line tools on both Linux and Windows:

  • dwebp: Part of the WebP tools package, dwebp is available for both Linux and Windows and allows for straightforward conversion from WebP to PNG.
  • ffmpeg: A widely-used tool that can convert WebP file to PNG, available for both Linux and Windows.
  • ImageMagick: A powerful image manipulation tool available on both Linux and Windows. With its convert command, it can also handle WebP to PNG conversions efficiently.

These tools provide flexible options for converting WebP to PNG across different platforms.

4. Browser extensions

Extensions for browsers like Chrome and Firefox can simplify the conversion process by allowing you to save and change WebP to PNG directly. Examples include:

  • Chrome: The “Save Image As Type” extension lets you right-click any WebP image and save it as PNG.
  • Firefox: Converter tools like “Save WebP as PNG” provide quick conversion options without leaving the browser.

These tools are especially useful for casual users who frequently encounter WebP images online.

5. Mobile apps

If you need to convert images on the go, mobile apps like Image Converter (Android) and The Image Converter (iOS) are great choices. These apps support WebP format to PNG conversions and often include basic editing tools for cropping, resizing, and adjusting image quality.

WebP vs. PNG: Key differences

Understanding the differences between WebP and PNG can help you determine when conversion is necessary. Here’s a quick comparison:

  • File Size: WebP generally offers smaller file sizes while maintaining high image quality, making it ideal for websites that prioritize fast loading times. PNG, on the other hand, tends to have larger file sizes, providing high-quality images but at the expense of performance.
  • Compression: WebP supports both lossy and lossless image conversion and compression, giving more flexibility in balancing image quality and file size. PNG only supports lossless compression, which ensures high quality but results in larger file sizes.
  • Transparency: Both formats support transparency, which is useful for logos and icons. However, WebP typically provides better compression for transparent images, resulting in smaller file sizes compared to PNG.
  • Browser compatibility: While WebP is supported by most modern browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge), it’s not universally compatible. PNG is widely supported across all browsers, ensuring seamless compatibility.
  • Animation support: WebP supports animations with better compression and quality than GIFs, making it a more efficient choice for web animations. PNG supports animations through APNG, but it’s less widely adopted and not as efficient as WebP.
  • Color depth: Both WebP and PNG support up to 24-bit color depth, ensuring rich color reproduction. WebP is versatile for web use, while PNG excels in applications requiring precise color accuracy.
  • Editing flexibility: PNG’s lossless nature allows for repeated editing without losing quality, making it ideal for images that need frequent changes. WebP is less flexible for editing due to fewer supported tools, though it offers great compression and quality for web use.
  • Use cases: WebP is perfect for websites with many images, offering smaller file sizes and better performance. It’s suitable for photos, web graphics, and animations. PNG is best for high-quality, lossless images with transparency, such as logos and icons.
  • Performance: WebP’s smaller file sizes lead to faster loading times, reduced bandwidth usage, and an improved user experience, which can positively impact SEO. PNG, while offering superior image quality, has larger file sizes that can slow down page loads and increase bandwidth consumption.
  • WordPress support: WebP is increasingly supported by CMS platforms like WordPress and image optimization plugins, such as ShortPixel Image Optimizer, which automatically generates WebP for improved performance. PNG is universally supported, making it easier to implement but less efficient in terms of performance.

By weighing these factors, you can determine which format best suits your needs and why conversion might be the right choice.

Tips for preserving image quality during conversion

To ensure your converted PNG images retain the highest quality, keep these tips in mind:

  • Use high-quality tools: Test different converters to find one that handles transparency and color fidelity effectively.
  • Avoid repeated conversions: Always convert directly from the original WebP file to minimize quality loss.
  • Verify transparency: Ensure the PNG output retains its transparency, particularly for design and branding assets.

Also, after conversion, it’s important to use tools like ShortPixel to reduce file size without sacrificing visual quality, especially for web use.

Following these best practices ensures your PNG files meet professional standards.

Conclusion

Converting WebP to PNG is a simple process with various tools catering to different needs. Whether you opt for online platforms, desktop software, or command-line utilities, each method has its advantages.

PNG’s universal compatibility, lossless quality, and excellent transparency handling make it an indispensable format for numerous applications.

By understanding the differences between WebP and PNG and choosing the right conversion tools, you can easily transition between formats while maintaining image quality and accessibility.

FAQs

What are the disadvantages of WebP images?

WebP images have limited compatibility with older browsers and software, take longer to convert compared to other formats, and their lossy compression may reduce quality for specific use cases.

Why should I convert WebP to PNG?

You might convert WebP to PNG for better compatibility with older browsers, editing software, or platforms that don’t support WebP, and to preserve image quality since PNG uses lossless compression.

How can I convert WebP to PNG online?

To convert WebP to PNG online, you can use various online converters like CloudConvert or Convertio. Simply upload your WebP image, select PNG as the output format, and then download the converted file.

Does WebP to PNG lose quality?

Converting a WebP image to PNG doesn’t inherently cause quality loss, as both formats support lossless compression. However, if the WebP image was originally compressed using lossy methods, some quality degradation may have occurred. To ensure the best results, it’s advisable to use reliable conversion tools and avoid multiple conversions to prevent cumulative quality loss.

How to Batch-Convert WEBP to PNG?

To batch-convert WebP to PNG, you can use online tools or software like XnConvert. Such tools allow you to select multiple WebP images at once and convert them all to PNG in a single operation.

What are the limitations of WebP format?

WebP has several limitations despite its advantages. One key issue is that not all older browsers and software support it, especially older versions of Internet Explorer and Safari. Additionally, WebP can have slightly lower quality in lossy compression compared to other formats like JPEG, especially in highly detailed images. While it supports transparency (like PNG), WebP’s support for animation isn’t as widespread or compatible as GIFs. Lastly, converting from other formats to WebP may sometimes lead to minor quality loss, depending on the settings used.

Does WebP work on all browsers?

WebP is supported by most modern browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Opera. However, Safari (on both desktop and mobile) only added support for WebP in version 14, which means older versions of Safari don’t support it. If compatibility is a concern, it’s a good idea to provide fallback images in other formats like JPEG or PNG for browsers that don’t support WebP.

Why should I convert WebP to PNG for transparent backgrounds?

Converting WebP to PNG for transparent backgrounds can be beneficial because PNG is a widely supported format for images with transparency, ensuring that the alpha channel (transparency) is preserved without any loss of quality. While WebP also supports transparency, PNG is more universally compatible across various platforms, software, and older browsers, especially if you’re dealing with detailed graphics like logos or icons where transparency is crucial. PNG’s lossless compression also ensures that the transparency remains intact without degradation.

Does WebP do transparency?

Yes, WebP supports transparency, also known as an alpha channel. It can handle transparency in both lossless and lossy compression modes, allowing images with transparent backgrounds. However, WebP’s transparency support isn’t as widely compatible as PNG, especially in older browsers. Despite this, it’s a great option for web use because it provides smaller file sizes while still preserving transparency.

Does WebP support animation?

Yes, WebP supports animation, similar to GIFs. Animated WebP files can contain multiple frames and maintain a smaller file size compared to GIFs while offering better quality. However, while WebP animation support is growing, it’s still not as universally compatible as GIFs, particularly with older browsers or certain software. For broader compatibility, you might still consider using GIFs for animations, although WebP is a better choice for modern web use.

Andrei Alba
Andrei Alba

Andrei Alba is a support specialist and writer here at ShortPixel. He enjoys helping people understand WordPress through his easily digestible materials.

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