Convert PNG to WebP
Get a lossy WebP at quality 85 from any PNG, with transparency carried over intact. Lossy suits photos and illustrations best; for pixel art or text-heavy screenshots, compare the result with the original before you replace it.
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PNG vs WebP, and What This Converter Produces
PNG compresses without loss by finding repeated patterns, which works for flat interface graphics and poorly for anything with gradients, textures or photographic detail. WebP, the format Google introduced for the web, has two modes: a lossy one built on VP8 video coding and a separate lossless one. Every current browser displays it, which is why site builders, Lighthouse audits and CDNs nudge PNG assets toward WebP.
MiConvert encodes with libvips, through the Sharp library, in WebP's lossy mode at quality 85. Transparency is not flattened: the alpha channel is stored in its own plane at full quality next to the lossy color data, so a logo on a transparent background still drops onto any page color. The pixel dimensions stay exactly as they were. There is no lossless setting on this page.
Some things change on the way. Lossy color coding can soften very sharp edges, small type and pixel art, or leave faint ringing around them. Text chunks, EXIF and embedded color profiles are not written to the WebP. If the PNG carries an EXIF orientation tag, the pixels are rotated to match first. An animated PNG becomes a still of its first frame, and 16-bit PNGs come out at 8 bits per channel, the only depth WebP stores.
The usual reason to convert is page weight. For photographic PNGs and large illustrations the WebP is typically a small fraction of the original; for tiny flat icons the saving is modest, and a well-optimized PNG can occasionally be the smaller file, so check sizes before swapping assets in bulk.
How to Convert PNG to WebP
- Export the PNG at the pixel size it will actually be displayed; this converter keeps dimensions as they are and does not resize.
- Upload up to 10 PNGs in one go; Plus subscribers can add 25 and Pro 50. WebP is preselected as the output.
- Run the conversion; small web images are typically done a moment after the upload finishes.
- Open the WebP at 100% zoom beside the PNG and look at text and hard edges, where lossy compression shows first.
- Swap the WebP into your site or app, and keep the PNG as the master for future edits and for email.
What the PNG to WebP Converter Does
- Lossy WebP encoding at quality 85 through libvips
- Alpha transparency preserved in a separate full-quality channel
- Original pixel dimensions kept: no cropping or resizing
- EXIF orientation applied so rotated images stay upright
- Animated PNG reduced to its first frame instead of failing
- Batch upload of 10 PNGs, more on paid plans
Video Tutorial
Watch this step-by-step tutorial to learn how to convert PNG files to WEBP format online for free using MiConvert.com. No software installation required.
PNG to WebP FAQ
Is the WebP lossy or lossless?
Lossy, at quality 85, for the color data. The transparency mask is kept at full quality, so edges of a cut-out stay clean even though the colors are compressed.
Will my transparent background survive?
Yes. WebP supports an alpha channel and the converter writes one, so transparent and semi-transparent pixels stay that way instead of being filled with white or black.
How much smaller will the WebP be?
It depends on the image. Photos, gradients and detailed artwork usually shrink dramatically; simple flat graphics shrink less, and an already-optimized small PNG may barely change. Compare file sizes before replacing everything.
Why does text in my screenshot look softer?
Lossy WebP spends fewer bits on fine high-contrast detail such as small type and one-pixel lines. For screenshots and pixel art where every pixel matters, keeping the PNG is often the better choice.
Can I use WebP in WordPress, Shopify or email?
WordPress accepts WebP uploads since version 5.8 and Shopify takes WebP images. Email is the weak spot: some clients, notably Outlook on Windows, do not display WebP, so send PNG or JPG there.
Does the WebP keep my PNG's metadata?
No. Text chunks, EXIF and color profiles are dropped, which also trims a few bytes. If you rely on an embedded profile other than sRGB, check the colors after conversion.
How long are my files stored?
We discard the uploaded PNG once the WebP exists. The WebP lingers for about four hours so you can fetch it, then the cleanup task deletes it. Encoding is done on our servers.