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How to Convert WEBP Images to PNG File Format

What is WEBP Image Format

The WEBP image format is a modern image format that provides both lossless and lossy compression for digital images. It was developed by Google in 2010 with the goal of reducing image file sizes to speed up loading times on websites.

Some key things to know about the WEBP format:

  • Uses both lossless and lossy compression techniques to reduce file size while maintaining quality
  • File sizes are around 25-34% smaller than JPEG images at equivalent SSIM quality index
  • Supports transparency and animation
  • Not yet fully supported by all web browsers and software

Benefits of Converting WEBP to PNG

The PNG (Portable Network Graphics) format is an older, more universally compatible format compared to WEBP. Converting WEBP images to PNG provides the following benefits:

  • Universal compatibility – PNG is supported by all major web browsers and operating systems. Converting WEBP to PNG ensures broader compatibility.
  • Transparency support – Like WEBP, PNG also supports transparency in images. The alpha channel data can be preserved when converting from WEBP to PNG.
  • Higher quality for printing – PNG is a lossless format, meaning no data is lost during compression. This makes it better for high resolution printing applications compared to lossy WEBP images.
  • Easier editing – More image editing applications support PNG than the newer WEBP format. Converting allows easier editing.

Online WEBP to PNG Converters

Here are some popular free online converters to convert WEBP images to PNG:

  • CloudConvert – Supports batch conversion and offers PDF conversion too
  • OnlineConvert – Simple no frills WEBP to PNG converter
  • EzGif – GIF and image conversion site with WEBP support
  • WinZip – Downloadable file compression tool with converter
  • FreeConvert – Converter with support for over 200 formats

These online converters make it easy to quickly convert one or more WEBP images to PNG. Simply upload the WEBP images, configure any options, and download the PNG files.

Convert WEBP to PNG Using Command Line

For batch converting many WEBP images to PNG, using the command line can save time.

On Windows

On Windows 10, Microsoft provides a native tool called dwebp that can convert WEBP images to PNG from the command line.

To convert a single WEBP image to PNG:

dwebp image.webp -o image.png

To convert all WEBP images in a folder:

for %f in (*.webp) do dwebp "%f" -o "%~nf.png"

On Linux & Mac

On Linux and Mac, the dwebp tool from Google can be used in the terminal for WEBP to PNG conversion:

dwebp image.webp -o image.png

And to convert all WEBP images in a folder:

for file in *.webp; do
  dwebp "$file" -o "${file%.*}.png"
done

This makes automated batch conversion simple when dealing with multiple WEBP files.

Convert Using Photoshop

Most image editing software like Photoshop doesn’t support WEBP images natively. A plugin can be installed to enable opening and converting WEBP images.

Here is the process in Photoshop:

  1. Install Google’s WebP Photoshop plugin
  2. Open the WEBP file in Photoshop
  3. Go to File > Export > Export As
  4. Select PNG from the format dropdown
  5. Click Export to convert and save as PNG

This method is more manual but allows editing before converting WEBP images to PNG.

Summary

I hope this guide gives you a good overview of how to convert WEBP image files to the more compatible PNG format. To recap, you can use:

  • Online converters for quick one-off conversions
  • Command line for batch converting multiple WEBP images
  • Photoshop or other image editors with WEBP plugin installed

Converting from WEBP to PNG ensures broader compatibility and easier usage of images across web and print applications. Let me know if you have any other questions!

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