WebP vs PNG: Which Image Format Should You Use in 2026?

WebP vs PNG: The Complete Comparison

Both WebP and PNG support transparency, but they take very different approaches to compression. Let's break down when to use each.

File Size

WebP consistently produces 25-35% smaller files than PNG for equivalent quality. For lossless images with transparency, WebP files are typically 26% smaller than PNG.

For a website loading hundreds of images, this size difference translates directly into faster page loads and lower bandwidth costs.

Compression

PNG uses lossless compression exclusively. Every pixel is preserved exactly. This makes PNG ideal for images where precision matters — screenshots, diagrams, text overlays, and graphics with sharp edges.

WebP supports both lossy and lossless compression. Lossy WebP produces dramatically smaller files while maintaining visual quality that's nearly indistinguishable from the original. Lossless WebP still beats PNG on file size.

Transparency

Both formats fully support transparency (alpha channel). However, WebP handles semi-transparent pixels more efficiently, resulting in smaller file sizes for images with complex transparency like shadows or glass effects.

Animation

WebP supports animation (like GIF but with better quality and smaller file sizes).

PNG does not support animation (APNG exists but has limited support).

Browser Support

As of 2026, both formats have excellent browser support:

The remaining ~3% without WebP support are mostly very old browser versions that represent a negligible share of traffic.

When to Use PNG

When to Use WebP

The Verdict

For web use, WebP is the better choice in almost every scenario. It produces smaller files, supports all the features PNG does, and has near-universal browser support in 2026.

Use PNG when you need absolute precision for professional graphics work, or when working with systems that don't support WebP.