# WEBP
WEBP (or WebP) is an image format developed by Google that was released in 2010. It is based on the VP8 video format and supports lossless and lossy compression, making it both a high-quality graphic file format and one of the most efficient ways to store images on the web.
The main advantage of using WEBP over other formats such as JPEG or PNG is its smaller file size, which can result in faster loading times when displaying images on websites. This makes it especially useful for mobile devices with limited bandwidth capacities. Additionally, WEBP files support transparency, animation, and metadata like EXIF data; features not available with other formats.
However, there are some drawbacks to using WEBP compared to more established image formats such as JPEG or PNG. Chief among these issues is compatibility; while all major browsers now support WEBP images natively, some older versions don’t recognize them at all. Furthermore, many popular photo-editing programs still lack support for editing this type of file due to its relatively recent introduction into the digital world .
In any case , if you have access to modern browsers and software that supports WEBP files , then taking advantage of this highly efficient format can be a great way to save time when dealing with large numbers of graphical assets online .
