Should I use PNG or WebP?

For most use cases, WebP is the recommended default. Use PNG when: maximum compatibility with old tooling, pixel-perfect ui assets. Use WebP when: web delivery, smaller files, mixed content + transparency.

Can I convert between PNG and WebP?

Yes. Use optimo to convert between them with a single command. Run "npx optimo file --format webp" to convert from PNG to WebP.

PNG vs WebP

PNG is a classic lossless format; WebP is modern and often much smaller while still supporting transparency.

Last updated: 2026-03-18

PNG is a classic lossless format; WebP is modern and often much smaller while still supporting transparency. For most projects, WebP is the recommended default.

Key differences

Topic	PNG	WebP
Typical size	Larger	Smaller
Transparency	Yes	Yes
Browser/tooling	Universal	Modern-first

When to use PNG

Maximum compatibility with old tooling
Pixel-perfect UI assets

When to use WebP

Web delivery
Smaller files
Mixed content + transparency

Our recommendation

For most web projects, use WebP. WebP is best for web delivery. Choose PNG when maximum compatibility with old tooling.

Next steps

Optimize PNG Compress PNG Resize PNG PNG format guide

Convert between them

Convert PNG to WebP Convert WebP to PNG

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between PNG and WebP?: PNG is a classic lossless format; WebP is modern and often much smaller while still supporting transparency.
Should I use PNG or WebP?: For most use cases, WebP is the recommended default. Use PNG when: maximum compatibility with old tooling, pixel-perfect ui assets. Use WebP when: web delivery, smaller files, mixed content + transparency.
Can I convert between PNG and WebP?: Yes. Use optimo to convert between them with a single command. Run "npx optimo file --format webp" to convert from PNG to WebP.