WebP vs PNG: Which Image Format Should You Use in 2024?
A detailed comparison to help you choose the right format for your images.
Choosing the right image format can significantly impact your website's performance. PNG has been the standard for lossless images for decades, but WebP, developed by Google, offers compelling advantages. Let's break down when to use each format.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | PNG | WebP |
|---|---|---|
| File Size | Larger | 26-34% smaller |
| Transparency | Yes | Yes |
| Animation | APNG (limited) | Yes |
| Browser Support | 100% | 97%+ (all modern) |
| Lossy Option | No | Yes |
When to Use PNG
PNG remains the better choice in specific scenarios:
- Maximum compatibility: When you need to support very old browsers or systems that don't support WebP.
- Print and design work: PNG is more widely supported in design software and print workflows.
- Source file archival: PNG's lossless compression makes it ideal for archiving original assets.
- Screenshots with text: PNG handles sharp text edges perfectly without compression artifacts.
When to Use WebP
WebP is the better choice for most web use cases:
- Website images: The 26-34% size reduction significantly improves page load times.
- Mobile optimization: Smaller files mean faster loading on cellular connections.
- Large image galleries: The savings multiply across many images.
- Animated images: WebP animations are much smaller than GIFs.
Real-World File Size Comparison
I tested both formats with a variety of images. Here are the results:
Photo (1920×1080):
PNG: 2.4 MB → WebP: 185 KB (92% reduction)
Logo with transparency:
PNG: 45 KB → WebP: 28 KB (38% reduction)
Screenshot with text:
PNG: 380 KB → WebP: 290 KB (24% reduction)
Browser Support in 2024
As of 2024, WebP is supported by all modern browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge, and Opera. The only browsers without support are Internet Explorer and very old Safari versions (pre-2020). For most websites, this means 97%+ of visitors can view WebP images.
For the small percentage without support, you can use the <picture> element to provide PNG fallbacks:
<picture> <source srcset="image.webp" type="image/webp"> <img src="image.png" alt="Description"> </picture>
How to Convert PNG to WebP
You can convert PNG to WebP using our PNG to WebP converter. It runs entirely in your browser—your images are never uploaded to any server.
Conclusion
For web use in 2024, WebP is the clear winner in most cases. The file size savings are substantial, browser support is excellent, and the format supports all the features you need including transparency and animation.
Keep PNG for source file archival, print work, and situations where you need 100% compatibility. For everything else, WebP will make your website faster.