What is WebP, and why is every download suddenly one?
You save an image from a website and get a .webp file that your editor refuses to open. Welcome to the format that quietly took over the web.
Where it came from
Google released WebP in 2010, built from the VP8 video codec it had open-sourced the same year. The pitch: the web is mostly images by weight, and JPG and PNG were designed in the 1990s. WebP compresses photos about 25-35% smaller than JPG at the same visual quality, and also does lossless mode, transparency, and animation - one format for every job.
Why websites love it
Faster pages. WebP can reduce image transfer size, but savings depend on the source and encoding settings. Measure the actual files rather than assuming a fixed bandwidth reduction. Your browser asks for WebP silently; you only notice when you save a file.
Why your tools complain
Older editors, Office versions, and some apps predate WebP support. Every current browser displays it fine - the gap is in desktop software that has not been updated.
Safari was the last big browser holdout, adding WebP in Safari 14 in late 2020 - one reason the format felt half-broken for years. Check the current compatibility table linked below for the browsers and versions you need; support varies in older software.
The fix
Convert it. WebP to PNG can retain decoded transparency, but not animation or all source metadata; WebP to JPG gives you the most compatible file. Both run on your device here - the image is never uploaded.