How to Open WebP Files (View and Convert on Any Device)

You right-clicked an image, hit "Save image as," and got a .webp file. Now your image viewer cannot open it, your email client does not recognize it, and your photo editor rejects it. This is one of the most common frustrations on the modern web.

WebP is Google's image format — smaller files, better compression — and it has been the default serving format for most websites since 2020. But while browsers handle WebP perfectly, the rest of the software ecosystem is still catching up.

Here is how to open, view, and convert WebP files on every platform.

Can Your Computer Already Open WebP?

Before installing anything, check what you already have:

If your OS supports WebP but the file will not open: The issue is usually the specific application, not the OS. Try opening the file in a different program — your browser always works as a fallback viewer (drag the WebP file into a browser tab).

Method 1: Open WebP in Your Browser

Every modern browser displays WebP files. This is the zero-install solution:

1. Open Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari.
2. Drag and drop the WebP file into the browser window (or press Ctrl+O / Cmd+O to browse).
3. The image displays immediately.

This works on every operating system. If you only need to view the image — not edit or convert it — this is the fastest path.

Method 2: Convert WebP to JPG or PNG

If you need the image in a format that your other software accepts, convert it.

Using Pixotter (Browser, No Install)

1. Open pixotter.com/convert.
2. Drop the WebP file and select JPG or PNG as the output format.
3. Download the converted file.

Everything runs locally in your browser — the file never leaves your device. Batch conversion is supported.

Using Windows Paint

On Windows 10/11:

1. Right-click the WebP file → Open with → Paint.
2. File → Save as → choose JPEG picture or PNG picture.

Using macOS Preview

On macOS Monterey or later:

1. Double-click the WebP file to open in Preview.
2. File → Export.
3. Change format to JPEG or PNG → Save.

Using Command Line

# ImageMagick 7.1.1-29+ (any OS)
magick input.webp output.jpg
magick input.webp output.png

# macOS sips
sips -s format jpeg input.webp --out output.jpg

# Linux: dwebp (from libwebp-tools)
sudo apt install webp
dwebp input.webp -o output.png

For a comprehensive conversion guide with batch processing and quality settings, see How to Convert WebP to JPG.

Method 3: Install a WebP Viewer

If you frequently work with WebP files and want them to open natively in your preferred image viewer:

Windows (Older Versions)

Install the WebP Image Extension from the Microsoft Store (free, by Google). This adds WebP support to the Photos app, File Explorer thumbnails, and most UWP applications.

macOS (Catalina or Older)

Install a third-party viewer:

• XnView MP (free for personal use) — opens WebP and 500+ other formats
• qView (GPLv3, free) — lightweight, opens WebP natively

Or upgrade to macOS Monterey or later for native support.

Linux

Most modern Linux distributions include WebP support. If yours does not:

# Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt install webp

# This installs dwebp, cwebp, and adds WebP support to many applications

GIMP 2.10+ (GPLv3) opens and saves WebP files on all platforms.

Why Browsers Save Images as WebP

You did not ask for a WebP file. So why did you get one?

When a website serves images, it checks what formats your browser supports (via the Accept HTTP header). Modern browsers advertise WebP support, so the server sends the WebP version — it is smaller and loads faster. When you right-click and "Save image as," you save the WebP version that was delivered, not the original format.

This is called content negotiation — the server picks the best format for your browser. The same image URL might serve JPEG to an old browser and WebP to a modern one.

Can You Force Browsers to Save as JPG?

Not directly. The browser saves whatever format the server sent. Workarounds:

1. Convert after downloading. Save the WebP, then convert using Pixotter or any method above.
2. Use a browser extension. Extensions like "Save Image as Type" (available for Chrome and Firefox) let you choose the download format. The extension converts on-the-fly.
3. View page source. Some websites still host the original JPG/PNG and use a CDN to convert to WebP on delivery. Right-clicking → Inspect Element → checking the <img> tag's src or srcset attributes may reveal the original URL.

WebP File Format Overview

WebP consistently produces files 25-35% smaller than equivalent JPEG (lossy) and 26% smaller than PNG (lossless). It supports both lossy and lossless modes, transparency, and animation — making it a versatile replacement for JPEG, PNG, and GIF in web contexts.

For a deeper technical comparison, see What is WebP? and PNG vs WebP.

Software That Supports WebP (2026)

If your software is not listed: Try opening the WebP file. Many applications have added WebP support in recent updates without prominently advertising it. If it does not work, convert to JPG or PNG using Pixotter.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a WebP file?

WebP is an image format developed by Google that produces smaller files than JPEG and PNG at equivalent quality. It supports both lossy and lossless compression, transparency, and animation. Most websites now serve images in WebP format to reduce page load times. For the full technical breakdown, see What is WebP?.

Why can't I open a WebP file on my computer?

Your operating system or image viewer may not support WebP. Windows 10/11 and macOS Monterey+ support it natively. Older systems need a WebP extension or a third-party viewer. The simplest solution: drag the file into any web browser to view it, or convert it to JPG/PNG using Pixotter.

How do I convert WebP to JPG without installing software?

Open pixotter.com/convert in your browser, drop the WebP file, select JPG as the output, and download. The conversion runs entirely in your browser — nothing is uploaded. For batch processing and more methods, see How to Convert WebP to JPG.

Is WebP better than JPG?

For web delivery, yes — WebP produces 25-35% smaller files at the same visual quality, with features JPG lacks (transparency, animation, lossless mode). For compatibility outside browsers (email, print, legacy software), JPG is still the safer choice. See Best Image Format for Web for the current recommendations.

Can I upload WebP files to social media?

Most major platforms accept WebP: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter/X, LinkedIn, and Pinterest all support WebP uploads. Some smaller or older platforms may not. When in doubt, convert to JPG before uploading.

How do I stop saving images as WebP?

You cannot change browser behavior directly — browsers save whatever format the server sends. Options: (1) convert after saving using Pixotter, (2) install a "Save Image as Type" browser extension, or (3) check the page source for the original image URL in a different format.

Can WebP files contain viruses?

WebP files are image data, not executable code. They cannot contain viruses in the traditional sense. However, like any file format, crafted WebP files could theoretically exploit vulnerabilities in image parsing libraries. Keep your browser and OS updated to protect against known vulnerabilities. This risk is not unique to WebP — the same applies to JPEG, PNG, and every other image format.