.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.

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

Open on your device

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

How to open .WEBP files

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

Windows

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

Mac

  1. Control-click the .WEBP file and choose Open With.
  2. Select Preview or another compatible app.
Full Mac guide

Linux

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

iOS

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

Android

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

Recommended antivirus software

Scan files before opening them. These antivirus tools help protect against malware and viruses.

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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

Fix steps

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

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

Further reading

Authoritative resources for more details on the .WEBP format.

Common .WEBP issues

WEBP file does not open

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

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

WEBP image quality issues

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

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

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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