.WEBP file extension

To open .WEBP files on Windows, right-click the .WEBP file and choose Open with.

.WEBP files are image files that can be opened with various apps across different platforms. Use a compatible app to view them instead of renaming the file extension.

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Last updated: March 19, 2026 · Reviewed by Julian Stricker

What “reviewed” means on this page

Format fit: whether the “what is this file?” description plausibly matches common real-world use of the extension, including category, typical MIME types, and aliases.
Opening paths: whether Windows / macOS / Linux steps read plausibly for current OS dialogs and default apps. Not every step was tested on every OS version.
Security framing: whether risk notes match the extension class (for example executables vs plain data) and whether affiliate wording does not contradict the security section.
Sources and further reading: external links should point to vendors, standards bodies, or other primary references where possible; not every detail is individually sourced.
Limits: this is clarity and safety-messaging QA, not a guarantee that every statement is exhaustive or that every binary you download is harmless. Pages without “Reviewed by” have not been through this editorial pass yet.

Full methodology in the Imprint — The Imprint also states where AI is used and what that does—and does not—replace.

Open on your device

Choose your operating system for a dedicated step-by-step opening guide.

Convert .WEBP files in your browser

No upload and no installation: choose your file and download the result.

Choose files to convertor drag and drop them here (several files at once are fine)

Convert to Quality: 90%

Your files are converted in your browser and are never uploaded to a server.

How to open .WEBP files

Use these platform-specific instructions to open .WEBP files safely.

Windows

Right-click the .WEBP file and choose Open with.
Select a trusted Windows app like Microsoft Photos or a web browser.

Recommended software: Microsoft Edge (built in) · Google Chrome · GIMP (free)

Full Windows guide

Mac

Control-click the .WEBP file and choose Open With.
Select Preview or another compatible app.

Recommended software: Preview (built in) · Safari (built in)

Full Mac guide

Linux

Right-click the .WEBP file and choose Open With.
Select an app like GIMP or a web browser.

Recommended software: Firefox · GIMP (free) · gThumb

Full Linux guide

iOS

Open the .WEBP file in the Files app and tap Share.
Select a compatible app like Safari or a third-party viewer.

Recommended software: Safari (built in) · Photos app (built in)

Full iOS guide

Android

Open the .WEBP file from Files or Downloads.
Select a viewer app or a web browser like Chrome.

Recommended software: Google Chrome · Google Photos

Full Android guide

Security notes

Open .WEBP files only from trusted sources.
Use antivirus software to scan files before opening.
Be cautious of files from unknown senders.

Can't open this file?

These are the most common causes and fixes when .WEBP files fail to open.

Common reasons

WEBP file does not open
WEBP image quality issues
An older program cannot open the WebP image ("unsupported format")

Fix steps

Ensure you have a compatible application installed.
Check the file integrity and download it again if necessary.
Try opening the file on a different platform.

Recover a deleted or lost .WEBP file

If the file was deleted by mistake or the drive was formatted, data recovery software may be able to get it back. Stop writing to that drive right away, because new data can overwrite what you want to recover.

MiniTool Power Data Recovery

Windows software that recovers deleted or lost files from PCs and external drives such as HDDs, SSDs, USB drives and memory cards, after deletion, formatting or a crash.

Wondershare Recoverit

Windows and Mac software that recovers deleted or lost files from computers and external drives such as HDDs, SSDs, USB drives and SD cards.

We may earn a commission when you use affiliate links. This supports our free file extension guides.

OS-specific troubleshooting

Convert .WEBP to other formats

Use conversion tools to change .WEBP files into formats your software supports.

What is a .WEBP file?

.WEBP is an image file format developed by Google that provides superior lossless and lossy compression for images on the web. It is designed to make the web faster by reducing the file size of images without compromising quality.

Background

The WEBP format was introduced by Google in 2010 as part of its efforts to speed up the web. It supports both lossy and lossless compression, making it versatile for different use cases. WEBP images are often smaller than JPEG or PNG files, which helps reduce bandwidth usage and improve page load times. This format is widely used in web development and is supported by most modern web browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. Despite its advantages, some legacy software may not support WEBP, necessitating conversion to more traditional formats like JPEG or PNG for compatibility.

Common MIME types: image/webp

Common .WEBP issues

WEBP file does not open

This may occur if the required application is not installed or the file is corrupted.

Ensure you have a compatible application installed.
Check the file integrity and download it again if necessary.
Try opening the file on a different platform.

WEBP image quality issues

Images may appear pixelated if the compression settings were too aggressive.

Re-export the image with less compression.
Use software that supports high-quality WEBP rendering.

An older program cannot open the WebP image ("unsupported format")

WebP is supported by all current browsers, but older image editors, some Office versions and many upload forms still reject it.

Open the image in Chrome, Edge, Firefox or Safari first; they always display WebP.
On Windows, install "WebP Image Extensions" from the Microsoft Store to see WebP in Photos and Explorer.
Convert it to JPG or PNG with our in-browser converter if a program still refuses it.

FAQ

Can I convert a file by renaming it to .WEBP?

No, renaming does not convert the file format. Use conversion software or tools.

Is .WEBP safe to open?

Yes, if the file is from a trusted source and opened with reputable software.

Why use .WEBP over JPEG or PNG?

.WEBP offers better compression, resulting in smaller file sizes without significant loss of quality.

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