WebP can cut your image weight by 25–50% compared to JPG, with no perceptible visual difference. On a WordPress page with 20 images, that could mean the difference between a 2-second LCP and a 3.5-second one. Google notices. So do your visitors.
Since WordPress 5.8 (July 2021), the WordPress core accepts uploading .webp files directly to the media library. You don't need any plugin to upload and display WebP images. What you do need to decide is how to convert your existing images and new ones going forward.
If you're running WordPress 5.8 or later (almost certainly yes), you can upload WebP files today. The only extra step is having your images in WebP format before uploading.
The most straightforward approach: convert your images to WebP before uploading to WordPress. Zero plugins, zero configuration.
.webp file directly to the WordPress media library.Advantage: full control, no plugin dependencies. Disadvantage: you need to convert manually for each image.
Drag your JPG or PNG files, select WebP as the output format, and download. No sign-up, no file uploads to any server.
⚡ Convert to WebP nowIf you upload images regularly, a plugin that automatically converts to WebP on upload is the most practical solution. Conversion happens on the server or in the cloud depending on the plugin.
Converts to WebP automatically. Free plan up to 20 MB/month. Very easy to configure. Keeps the original JPG as a fallback.
100 free credits per month. Excellent compression quality. Converts both new and existing images in bulk.
Free plan available. Lossless compression and WebP conversion. Integrates with WP Offload Media.
Local processing option: converts on your server without sending images to external APIs. Best for hosts with libwebp-enabled PHP.
Good WebP plugins don't replace your original JPG — they complement it. They serve WebP to compatible browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari) and the original JPG to those that don't support it (Outlook, some bots). This is done with the <picture> element:
<picture>
<source srcset="image.webp" type="image/webp">
<img src="image.jpg" alt="Description">
</picture>Some CDNs convert your images to WebP on-the-fly based on the user's browser, without you touching anything in WordPress. It's the most scalable solution.
f_auto parameter.webp.You can also use PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix — if you're still serving JPG when you could serve WebP, it will appear as the recommendation "Serve images in next-gen formats."
Positively. Google uses load speed (LCP in particular) as a ranking factor. Lighter WebP images reduce LCP. PageSpeed Insights also penalizes sites that don't use modern formats.
Good plugins keep the original JPG intact and only add the WebP version as an alternative. They never delete your original files unless you explicitly configure them to do so.
Most plugins have a bulk optimization feature that processes all images in your media library at once. You can do it in a matter of minutes regardless of how many images you have.
Free, instant, private. No sign-up needed.
⚡ Convert to WebP now