Why Are Chrome Downloads WebP?
Everything you need to know about why browsers save images in WebP format
Chrome downloads WebP because websites serve images in WebP format to your browser. Developed by Google, WebP provides better compression than JPG—reducing bandwidth costs and improving page load times. Chrome simply saves the format the website provides. You're not downloading "wrong"—you're getting the exact file the website uses.
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The Simple Explanation
When you download an image in Chrome (or any modern browser), you're getting the exact format the website serves. If it's WebP, that's what Chrome downloads. Chrome isn't converting anything—it's just saving what the website provided.
Why Websites Use WebP:
Reduced Bandwidth Costs
WebP files are 25-35% smaller than JPG. For sites serving millions of images daily, this saves significant money.
Faster Page Loads
Smaller images load faster, improving user experience and SEO rankings.
Better Mobile Experience
Mobile users on slow connections benefit most from smaller image sizes.
Google Created It
Google developed WebP and promotes it for web optimization, so Chrome (also Google) fully supports it.
Where You'll Encounter WebP
Browsers That Download WebP:
- ✓Google Chrome (full support)
- ✓Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based)
- ✓Firefox (65+)
- ✓Opera (full support)
- ~Safari (14+, limited)
Websites Using WebP:
- • Google Images search results
- • Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
- • YouTube thumbnails
- • E-commerce sites (Amazon, eBay)
- • News and media websites
- • CDN-optimized images (Cloudflare, etc.)
- • Modern blogs and portfolios
Why WebP is Actually Good
Smaller File Sizes
WebP provides 25-35% smaller files than JPG at the same quality level. This means faster downloads and less storage space used.
Example: A 3MB JPG might be only 2MB as WebP with identical quality.
Better Compression
WebP uses advanced compression algorithms that preserve detail better than JPG at equivalent file sizes.
Result: Websites load faster and look better on all devices.
Transparency Support
Unlike JPG, WebP supports transparency (like PNG) but with much smaller file sizes.
Use case: Logos, icons, and images with transparent backgrounds.
Animation Support
WebP can handle animated images (like GIF) with better compression and quality control.
Benefit: Animated images that load faster and look better.
The WebP Compatibility Problem
While WebP is technically superior, it has one major drawback: not all software and devices support it yet.
✗ Where WebP Doesn't Work:
- • Older Windows software (pre-2020)
- • Some photo editing apps
- • Email attachments (often)
- • Printing services (many)
- • Older smartphones (pre-2018)
- • Document software (Word, PowerPoint)
- • Legacy image viewers
✓ Where WebP Works:
- • All modern browsers (viewing)
- • Windows 10/11 (native support)
- • macOS (Big Sur+)
- • Android (4.0+)
- • iOS/iPhone (14+)
- • Google Photos
- • Modern image editors (Photoshop, etc.)
Common User Complaints:
- • "I can't open this image on my computer!"
- • "The image won't upload to [website/app]"
- • "Can't insert into Word document"
- • "Printing service rejected my file"
How to Get JPG Instead of WebP
Convert After Downloading (Easiest)
Recommended approach. Download the WebP file, then use a free online converter to change it to JPG.
Convert WebP to JPG Now →Use Browser Extensions
Install a Chrome extension that automatically converts WebP to JPG during download.
Popular extensions:
- • "Save WebP as PNG or JPEG" (Chrome Web Store)
- • "Image Downloader" with format options
Screenshot Method (Quick & Dirty)
For a single image: Take a screenshot, crop it, and save as JPG. Quality loss is minimal for web images.
⚠️ Note: Only use this for quick sharing. For archival or high-quality needs, use a proper converter.
WebP vs JPG: Real-World Impact
| Scenario | With WebP | With JPG |
|---|---|---|
| Viewing in browser | Works perfectly ✓ | Works perfectly ✓ |
| Sharing via email | May not open | Always works ✓ |
| Inserting in documents | Often fails | Always works ✓ |
| Printing | Hit or miss | Universal ✓ |
| File size | 30% smaller ✓ | Larger |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I force Chrome to download JPG instead of WebP?
Not directly in Chrome settings, but you can right-click the image, select 'Copy image address', paste the URL in your browser, then manually change the file extension from .webp to .jpg in the download dialog. Alternatively, use an online converter after downloading.
Do all browsers save images as WebP?
No. Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Opera may download WebP when websites serve that format. Safari typically downloads JPG or PNG. It depends on what format the website provides and what your browser supports.
Why does Facebook/Instagram/Twitter save WebP images?
Social media platforms use WebP to reduce bandwidth costs and improve loading times. When you save images from these sites, you're downloading the WebP version they serve to your browser. Converting to JPG ensures compatibility with older software.
Is WebP better quality than JPG?
WebP provides similar or better quality than JPG at smaller file sizes. For web viewing, WebP is excellent. For maximum compatibility (printing, older software), JPG is safer.
Will WebP work on my iPhone/Android?
Modern iOS (14+) and Android devices support viewing WebP images. However, older devices and some apps may not display WebP properly. Converting to JPG ensures universal compatibility.
Need to Convert WebP to JPG?
Use our free converter to instantly change WebP images to JPG format for universal compatibility.