How to Convert WebP Images Downloaded from Chrome
You right-click an image in Chrome, select Save Image As, and the file saves as .webp instead of .jpg or .png. Now your image editor cannot open it, you cannot attach it to an email, or it will not upload to the platform you need. This is increasingly common because websites now serve WebP images to browsers that support it.
Here is why this happens and how to convert those WebP downloads to a format that works everywhere.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Understand why Chrome saves images as WebP
Many websites serve different image formats depending on the browser. When Chrome requests an image, websites detect WebP support and serve the WebP version. When you right-click and save, you get the WebP file because that is what Chrome received. This is not a Chrome setting you can change; it is the website choosing which format to serve.
- Convert WebP to JPG or PNG
Open imageconvert.co in your browser. Drag the WebP files you downloaded onto the converter. Select JPG for photographs or PNG for images with transparency or sharp graphics. The conversion is instant since WebP is natively decoded by your browser.
- Download the converted files
Click Download on each file, or use Download All as ZIP if you have multiple images. The converted files will work in every application, email client, and platform that you need.
Why Websites Use WebP
Websites serve WebP images because the format produces smaller files than JPG and PNG at the same visual quality. For a website with hundreds of images, switching to WebP can reduce bandwidth usage by 25-35%. Google developed WebP and recommends it in their PageSpeed Insights tool, which incentivizes website owners to adopt it.
This is good for web browsing speed but inconvenient when you want to save images for other uses. The disconnect between web-optimized formats and desktop application support is the root of the problem.
Alternative: Save as JPG from Chrome
Some Chrome extensions let you right-click and save images in a different format. However, these extensions add another layer of software with potential privacy and security concerns. The simpler approach is to save the WebP file and convert it afterward.
Another trick: some websites still serve the original JPG or PNG if you open the image in a new tab and modify the URL. This is unreliable and depends on the specific website's image serving setup.
Which Format to Convert WebP To
Choose your output format based on what you need the image for.
- JPG: Best for photographs, social media uploads, email attachments. Smallest file size for photographic content.
- PNG: Best for screenshots, graphics with text, images with transparency. Lossless quality preservation.
- For most uses, JPG is the right choice. It is universally compatible and produces smaller files than PNG for photographs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make Chrome save images as JPG instead of WebP?
There is no built-in Chrome setting to change the saved format. Chrome saves whatever format the website serves, and most websites now serve WebP to compatible browsers. The simplest solution is to convert WebP files after downloading.
Is WebP lower quality than JPG?
No. WebP typically offers better quality than JPG at the same file size, or the same quality at a smaller file size. When you convert WebP to JPG, the output quality depends on the quality setting you choose, but at 85-90% there is no visible difference.
Why can't some applications open WebP files?
WebP was created by Google primarily for web use. While browser support is universal, many desktop applications, especially older versions, were built before WebP became common. Support is improving, but JPG and PNG remain the most universally compatible formats for desktop use.