Convert GIF to WebP
GIF is an older format limited to 256 colors, still popular for simple graphics and icons. Converting to WebP is a size decision: WebP reaches a comparable picture in a smaller file, which is why modern sites serve it. Worth knowing before you start: WebP is lossy, so the conversion trades some detail for a smaller file. Keep the GIF original if you may need to edit it again. The conversion runs entirely in your browser: there is no upload, no file size limit and no watermark on the result.
Drop your GIF files below and download WebP in seconds. Free, unlimited and completely private: the conversion runs inside your browser, so your files never leave your device and are never uploaded to a server.
No upload. Works with your network switched off. Check it yourself, or read what actually happens to your file.
Why convert GIF to WebP?
GIF dates back to 1987 and is limited to a 256 color palette, which shows in photos but is fine for flat graphics. It remains everywhere thanks to animation support and universal compatibility. For still images, PNG or WebP almost always produce better quality at a smaller size.
Google designed WebP to replace both JPG and PNG on the web, and it typically compresses 25 to 35 percent smaller at similar quality. It handles both lossy and lossless modes and supports transparency. Support is excellent in browsers but still patchy in older desktop software.
GIF vs WebP at a glance
| GIF | WebP | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Graphics Interchange Format | WebP image |
| Compression | Lossless, 256 colors | Lossy or lossless |
| Transparency | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Simple animations, icons and flat graphics | Modern websites and apps |
What changes when you convert GIF to WebP
| What happens | |
|---|---|
| Image quality | Reduced, by however much you choose. WebP is lossy; the quality control above sets the trade. Keep the GIF original if you may need to edit it again. |
| Transparency | Kept. WebP stores an alpha channel, so cut-out backgrounds and soft edges survive. |
| EXIF and GPS | Removed. The conversion goes through a pixel buffer, so camera data and location are not carried into the WebP file. |
| Colour profile | Not carried across. The image is handled in sRGB, which is right for the web and wrong for colour-managed print work. |
| Animation | Not preserved. An animated GIF produces a single still frame. |
| File size | Smaller in almost every case, which is the reason for the conversion. How much smaller depends on the picture, so no figure is quoted here. |
How to convert GIF to WebP
- Drop one or more GIF files into the box above, or click to browse.
- ImageConvert converts each file to WebP right on your device.
- Download a single file, or grab everything at once as a zip.
Frequently asked questions
What is a GIF file?
GIF is an older format limited to 256 colors, still popular for simple graphics and icons.
What is a WebP file?
WebP is a modern format from Google that compresses smaller than JPG and PNG while keeping quality.
Is it free to convert GIF to WebP?
Yes. There are no limits, no watermarks and no account needed. Convert as many GIF files as you like.
Are my files private?
Completely. Your GIF files never leave your browser and are never uploaded to a server, so your images stay on your device.