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Why Do Images Download as WebP?
Table of Contents
Introduction
Have you ever downloaded an image from a website expecting a JPG or PNG, only to find a .webp file instead?
You’re not alone. This is one of the most common questions people ask after saving images from Chrome, Edge, or other modern browsers.
The good news is that nothing is wrong with your browser or computer. Websites are simply delivering images in the WebP format because it is smaller, faster, and more efficient than many older image formats.
Why Do Websites Use WebP?
Website owners want their pages to load as quickly as possible.
Since images are often the largest files on a webpage, reducing their size makes a significant difference in loading speed.
WebP helps websites by offering:
- Smaller image files
- Faster page loading
- Lower bandwidth usage
- Better user experience
- Improved SEO performance
Because of these advantages, millions of websites now serve WebP images whenever a visitor’s browser supports the format.
Why Does Chrome Download WebP Instead of JPG?
Chrome tells websites which image formats it supports.
When a website detects that Chrome supports WebP, it usually sends the WebP version of the image instead of a JPG or PNG.
As a result, when you click Save Image As…, your browser saves the exact image that the website delivered—which is often a WebP file.
This behavior is completely normal.
Which Browsers Download WebP Images?
Most modern browsers support WebP, including:
- Google Chrome
- Microsoft Edge
- Mozilla Firefox
- Apple Safari
- Opera
If the website provides WebP images, these browsers will usually download them automatically.
Is There Something Wrong With My Browser?
No.
Many people think Chrome has changed their images or converted them automatically.
In reality, your browser is simply downloading the image format provided by the website.
The website—not your browser—decides which image version to send.
Why Can’t I Open WebP Images?
Although WebP is now widely supported, some older applications and image editors still don’t recognize the format.
You might experience problems if you’re using:
- Older versions of Microsoft Office
- Legacy photo editing software
- Older Windows applications
- Printing software
- Websites that only accept JPG or PNG uploads
In these cases, converting the image to JPG is usually the easiest solution.
Can I Download JPG Instead?
Sometimes.
Some websites still provide JPG versions of their images, while others only store WebP images.
If a JPG version exists, you may be able to access it through:
- A download button
- The original image source
- A different version of the website
If no JPG version is available, converting the downloaded WebP image is the quickest option.
How to Convert WebP to JPG
If your software doesn’t support WebP, you can convert the image in just a few seconds.
- Upload your WebP image.
- Convert it to JPG.
- Download the converted image.
No installation is required.
Use Free WebP to JPG to convert one image or batch-convert multiple files.
Can I Stop Chrome From Downloading WebP?
Generally, no.
Chrome downloads the format served by the website. Unless the website also provides a JPG version, there is no browser setting that forces Chrome to download JPG instead of WebP.
If you need a JPG image, converting the downloaded WebP file is usually the simplest solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do images save as WebP instead of JPG?
Because many websites store and deliver images in the WebP format to improve loading speed and reduce bandwidth usage.
Is WebP better than JPG?
For websites, yes. WebP usually offers smaller file sizes while maintaining similar visual quality. For compatibility with older software, JPG is often the better choice.
Did Chrome convert my image?
No. Chrome simply downloads the image format that the website provides.
Can I convert WebP to JPG?
Yes. You can quickly convert WebP images using our free WebP to JPG Converter.
Is WebP safe?
Yes. WebP is an official image format developed by Google and is supported by all major modern browsers.
Related Articles
- What Is a WebP Image?
- WebP vs JPG: Which Image Format Should You Use?
- How to Open WebP Files on Windows
- How to Open WebP Files on Mac
- How to Convert WebP to JPG Without Losing Quality
- How to Save WebP as JPG or JPEG
12+ years of experience in software engineering and web application security