Convert JPG and PNG to WebP
JPG to WebP and PNG to WebP: three free ways, and a whole folder at once
To convert JPG to WebP for free, use Squoosh in the browser for one image (it does not upload it), GIMP 3 on Mac, Windows or Linux (File, Export As, a name ending in .webp), or Google's cwebp on the command line. Preview on a Mac opens WebP but cannot save it. For a whole folder of JPG or PNG files, Convert Images in AwaCut writes every one as WebP at once: on 10 camera photos the WebPs were 58% smaller.
2 computers per licence. Full refund within 14 days, no reason needed.
- No upload
- 58% smaller on camera photos
- Mac, Windows and Linux
Listed onAlternativeToMicrosoft Store
One image: Squoosh
Open squoosh.app, drop the image, choose WebP on the right and download it. Squoosh works in the browser and does not send the image to a server. One image at a time.
Mac, Windows, Linux: GIMP
Open the JPG or PNG in GIMP 3, choose File, Export As and give the file a name ending in .webp. Set the quality in the dialog that follows; 90 keeps photos sharp.
A whole folder: AwaCut
Drop the folder on Convert Images and pick WEBP. JPG and PNG files become WebP at quality 90; tick Lossless (larger file) only for graphics. The originals stay as they were.
JPG and PNG to WebP converters
Squoosh
- Runs on
- Any browser
- Good to know
- Free, nothing uploaded, one image at a time
GIMP 3
- Runs on
- Mac, Windows, Linux
- Good to know
- Free, one file at a time
cwebp (Google)
- Runs on
- Mac, Windows, Linux
- Good to know
- Free, command line, easy to loop over a folder
Preview
- Runs on
- Mac, built in
- Good to know
- Opens WebP, cannot save it
AwaCut (Convert Images)
- Runs on
- Mac, Windows, Linux
- Good to know
- Whole folders of JPG and PNG. 10 photos free, then a licence
| Tool | Runs on | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Squoosh | Any browser | Free, nothing uploaded, one image at a time |
| GIMP 3 | Mac, Windows, Linux | Free, one file at a time |
| cwebp (Google) | Mac, Windows, Linux | Free, command line, easy to loop over a folder |
| Preview | Mac, built in | Opens WebP, cannot save it |
| AwaCut (Convert Images) | Mac, Windows, Linux | Whole folders of JPG and PNG. 10 photos free, then a licence |
Sizes measured on 10 camera JPGs and 10 product PNGs at quality 90. Checked November 2026.
Mistakes when converting to WebP
Choosing lossless for photos
A lossless WebP of a camera photo came out almost three times the size of the JPG. Leave Lossless off for photos.
Looking for WebP in Preview
macOS opens WebP but cannot write it, so Preview's Export menu has no WebP. Use GIMP, Squoosh or AwaCut.
Deleting the originals
Some email programs and older apps do not open WebP yet. Keep the JPG or PNG files and convert a copy.
Why convert to WebP
WebP files are smaller than JPG and PNG at the same look, so pages load faster and a shop or blog stores less. Google's PageSpeed suggests serving images in next-gen formats such as WebP. Convert copies, keep the originals, and upload the WebPs.
Try it on your own photos: the first 10 are free, no account.
2 computers per licence. Full refund within 14 days, no reason needed.
Frequently asked questions
Is WebP smaller than JPG?
Usually much smaller. At quality 90, 10 camera JPGs came out 58% smaller as WebP, and 10 product PNGs 89% smaller. The photos look the same at normal size.
How do I convert many JPGs to WebP at once?
Yes. Drop the folder on Convert Images in AwaCut and pick WEBP. On the command line: for f in *.jpg; do cwebp -q 90 "$f" -o "${f%.jpg}.webp"; done.
Does PNG to WebP keep transparency?
Yes. A PNG with transparent areas keeps them as WebP, lossy or lossless. JPG has no transparency, so a JPG has none to keep.
Should I choose lossless WebP?
Not for photos: a lossless WebP of a camera JPG came out almost three times larger. Lossless keeps every pixel and suits graphics: our PNGs came out 31% smaller.
Can I use WebP everywhere?
Every current browser shows WebP, and WordPress accepts it since version 5.8. Some email programs and older editors still do not open it, so keep the JPG originals.
Convert a folder of JPG and PNG to WebP
Convert Images has 10 free photos on each computer, then one yearly licence for as many photos as you want, with Remove Background included.
macOS
macOS 13.4+ (Apple silicon)v1.0.7 · 186 MB
Windows
Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit)v1.0.7 · 176 MB
Linux
AppImage (x86-64)v1.0.7 · 263 MB
Signed by AYA MIM S.R.L. If Windows still shows "Windows protected your PC", click More info, then Run anyway.
No AwaCut account. No credits. No uploads. 2 computers per licence, full refund within 14 days.