What is WebP?
WebP is a new image format developed by Google. WebP aims to deliver the same image file in a reduced file size. You may give your website’s visitors the same experience by reducing the size of your image files, but your website will load faster.
According to Google’s WebP compression study, Google found that a WebP image file is on average:
• 25-34% smaller than a comparable JPEG image.
• 26% smaller than a comparable PNG image.
Even running your website through Google’s PageSpeed Insights , suggests to Serve images in next-gen formats, one of which is WebP.
Why is WebP better?
WebP supports both, lossy and lossless compression. Lossy means that the quality will be also degraded and the file size will be very small, while lossless reduces the file size by removing unnecessary metadata from your JPEG or PNG file. Below we can see the comparison between the two and JPG and PNG
As we can see from the image, WebP reduces the file size by almost 50%. While it might not make a lot difference when one is image is used, it will make a significant difference, if there are multiple images on your webpage.
Is this supported by all browsers?
Here’s another eye-opening stat for you: As of early 2021, Google’s new image format is supported by 92% of the browsers used around the world. That’s not a bad adaption rate when you consider that it was initially deemed to be difficult or even impossible to compete with the reigning image standards, JPEG and PNG, when Google debuted WebP more than a decade ago.
As of this writing, there are numerous browsers that supported this new form of image compression. Check below to see if you’re already using a compatible browser.
For WebP Lossy Support:
• Firefox 65+
• Opera 11.10+
• Microsoft Edge 18+
• Google Chrome Desktop 17+
• Google Chrome Android 25+
• Native browser, Android 4.0+
For WebP Lossless, Lossy, and Alpha Support:
• Firefox 65+
• Opera 12.10+
• Microsoft Edge 18+
• Pale Moon 26+
• Google Chrome Desktop 23+
• Google Chrome Android 25+
• Native browser, Android 4.2+
For WebP Animation Support:
• Firefox 65+
• Opera 19+
• Microsoft Edge 18+
• Google Chrome Desktop and Android 32+
After reading this far, you have an appreciation for the two top benefits, better quality, and faster Internet speeds, that WebP grants your UX.
Conclusion
WebP is a next-generation image format that improves upon its predecessors, such as JPEG and PNG. It offers advanced compression technologies that can retain image quality while having smaller file sizes.
Source and image courtesy: ecompil.io and creative market
