What changes when a WebP becomes a PNG
WebP is a flexible format: a WebP file can be compressed lossily, like a JPG, or losslessly, like a PNG. PNG works only one way, and it is always lossless. When you convert, Convertisio decodes the WebP into plain pixels and writes those pixels into the PNG exactly as they are. Nothing further is thrown away in this step.
That has two consequences worth knowing. First, the PNG is a faithful copy, not an upgrade: if the WebP was saved with lossy compression, any softness or blocky artefacts it already had are preserved precisely. Second, the file will usually get bigger. Lossy WebP earns its small size by discarding detail; PNG has to describe every remaining pixel, so a photo that was a lean WebP can become a PNG several times its size. Logos, icons and screenshots with large areas of flat colour tend to grow far less.
Transparency is the easy part. Both formats store a full alpha channel, so transparent backgrounds, soft drop shadows and anti-aliased edges come through unchanged.
Why WebP images need converting at all
Every current major browser displays WebP, which is why so many websites now serve it. The trouble starts when an image leaves the browser. Save a picture from a web page and you often end up with a .webp file, and plenty of software still refuses it, including some older versions of Microsoft Office, older image editors, some print services, and certain content management systems and email clients.
PNG is the safe answer when the image needs to keep its transparency or stay pixel-exact:
- Slides and documents: a logo or cut-out product shot with a transparent background sits cleanly on any slide colour.
- Further editing: because PNG is lossless, you can open, change and re-save it as often as you like without the gradual degradation that repeated lossy saves cause.
- Upload forms and tools: many portals, icon generators and design tools accept PNG but not WebP.
- Screenshots and diagrams: text and thin lines stay crisp, with no new compression noise added.
PNG or JPG? Pick the target that fits the image
PNG is not always the best destination. If the WebP is an ordinary photograph with no transparency and you simply need it to open somewhere that rejects WebP, a JPG will usually be a fraction of the PNG's size and look just as good to the eye. In that case, use the WebP to JPG converter instead.
If the image is going back onto a website, consider leaving it as WebP. It is already the more compact format for web delivery, and converting it to PNG only adds weight to your pages.
Choose PNG when at least one of these is true: the image has transparent areas, it contains text or sharp lines that must stay clean, or you plan to edit it further before producing a final version.
WebP vs PNG at a glance
| Feature | WebP | PNG |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | Lossy or lossless | Lossless only |
| Transparency | Yes, full alpha channel | Yes, full alpha channel |
| Animation | Yes (animated WebP) | Only through the APNG variant |
| Typical file size | Small | Larger, especially for photos |
| Opens in older software | Not always | Almost everywhere |
| Best suited to | Delivering images on the web | Editing, transparent graphics, screenshots |
In short, WebP is built for delivery, while PNG is built for work in progress and for compatibility.
Tips for converting WebP to PNG
- Animated WebP: PNG output here is a still image. Only the first frame of an animated WebP is converted, and the converter warns you when that happens.
- Oversized graphics: if a PNG would be larger than you need, use Settings → Size to fit it within a maximum width or height. The aspect ratio is always kept, and images are never enlarged in this mode.
- Metadata: EXIF information such as camera model, GPS location and dates is not copied to the PNG. That is useful for privacy, but it also means copyright or caption fields are left behind.
- Colour: output is in sRGB. Images prepared for wide-gamut screens, such as Display P3, may look slightly less saturated afterwards.
- Mislabelled files: the converter reads each file's actual content, not just its name, so a "WebP" that is really a JPEG is recognised and converted correctly.
- iPhone and iPad: Safari limits canvas size to about 16.7 megapixels, so larger images are scaled down automatically on those devices, and you are told when it happens.