How to open and convert WebP files on a Mac

You right-click an image on a website, choose Save Image, and end up with a .webp file. WebP is a newer image format many websites use because it's much smaller than JPEG or PNG. Your Mac can open it fine — but some apps and upload forms still can't. Here's what to do.

Opening WebP on a Mac

On macOS Big Sur (macOS 11) and later, WebP just works: double-click the file to open it in Preview, press the space bar in Finder for a Quick Look, or drop it into Safari. No extra app needed.

The trouble usually starts when you try to use the file — an older app won't import it, or a website's upload form only accepts JPG and PNG. That's when you convert.

1. Convert one file with Preview

Open the WebP in Preview, choose File → Export…, pick JPEG or PNG from the Format menu, and save. Simple for one or two images.

2. Convert in your browser — free, no upload

Our free WebP to JPG converter and WebP to PNG converter run entirely in your browser. Drop in several files at once; nothing is uploaded.

3. Batch convert with TinyPresso

For a whole pile of WebP files, drag them into TinyPresso, choose JPEG or PNG as the output format, and press Compress. It converts and compresses in one step, offline.

Heads up: converted files get bigger

WebP is efficient, so converting away from it almost always makes the file larger. In our tests:

So only convert when you need to. A good rule: choose JPEG for photos and PNG for screenshots, logos and anything with text or a transparent background.

Going the other way: saving as WebP

If you run a website, WebP is worth using for your own images — it's supported by every modern browser. Preview can't save as WebP, but TinyPresso can: a Retina screenshot went from 875 KB as PNG to 94 KB as WebP in our test. You can also try our PNG to WebP and JPG to WebP converters.

Related guides

• WebP vs AVIF vs JPEG: which is best for your website?
• How to convert HEIC to JPG on a Mac
• Compressing images for the web

FAQ

Can a Mac open WebP files?

Yes. On macOS Big Sur (macOS 11) and later, Preview, Quick Look and Safari open WebP files without any extra software.

How do I convert WebP to JPG on a Mac?

Open the file in Preview, choose File > Export and pick JPEG. For many files at once, use a free browser converter or drag them into TinyPresso and choose JPEG as the output format.

Why is my file bigger after converting WebP to JPG?

WebP stores images more efficiently than JPEG or PNG, so converting away from it usually increases the file size. In our test a 138 KB WebP photo became a 353 KB JPEG.