> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://clients.medianova.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://clients.medianova.com/products/performance-cdn/image-optimization-and-webp/webp.md).

# WebP

Understand WebP compression and configure Medianova WebP Conversion to automatically deliver optimized images based on browser support.

**WebP** is a modern image format developed by Google that supports lossy and lossless compression, transparency, and animation. Compared with traditional formats such as JPEG and PNG, WebP can reduce image transfer size while maintaining comparable visual quality.

Medianova provides **WebP Conversion** at the CDN edge. When enabled, eligible JPG and PNG images are converted to WebP and delivered automatically based on browser support.

### Benefits of WebP

WebP uses efficient compression to reduce image file sizes while preserving visual quality.

<table><thead><tr><th>Compression Type</th><th width="150.60009765625">Compared Format</th><th>Typical Size Reduction</th><th>Additional Capabilities</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Lossy WebP</td><td>JPEG</td><td>25–34% smaller</td><td>Supports transparency</td></tr><tr><td>Lossless WebP</td><td>PNG</td><td>~26% smaller</td><td>Preserves lossless image data</td></tr><tr><td>WebP with transparency</td><td>PNG</td><td>Can provide significant size reduction</td><td>Supports alpha transparency with lossy compression</td></tr></tbody></table>

Smaller image responses can reduce transfer time and bandwidth usage, particularly on image-heavy websites and slower network connections.

{% hint style="info" %}
Actual file size reduction depends on the source image, compression mode, image characteristics, and encoding parameters. The values above are general WebP comparisons and do not represent a guaranteed reduction for Medianova WebP Conversion.
{% endhint %}

## How WebP Works

WebP uses image compression techniques derived from the VP8 video codec for lossy encoding and a separate lossless compression method for lossless images.

For lossy images, WebP uses predictive coding to estimate pixel values from neighboring image blocks and encodes the differences between the prediction and the actual image data. This reduces the amount of information required to represent the image.

WebP also supports:

* **Lossy compression** for reducing image size while maintaining visual quality.
* **Lossless compression** when source image data must be preserved without lossy encoding.
* **Alpha transparency** for images that require transparent or partially transparent areas.
* **Animation** for multi-frame images.

These capabilities allow WebP to cover use cases traditionally handled separately by JPEG, PNG, and animated image formats.

## WebP Conversion at Medianova

Medianova WebP Conversion automatically handles format selection at the CDN edge.

When WebP Conversion is enabled:

* Eligible JPG and PNG images can be converted to WebP.
* The CDN detects whether the requesting browser supports WebP.
* Supported browsers receive the WebP version.
* Unsupported clients receive the original image format.
* Eligible PNG images retain source-level visual characteristics, including transparency and fine details.

{% hint style="info" %}
WebP versions generated from eligible PNG images may be larger than standard WebP variants when required to preserve source-level visual fidelity.
{% endhint %}

WebP Conversion is configured per CDN Resource in the [Medianova Control Panel](https://cloud.medianova.com).

## Configure WebP Conversion

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Open Images

Open your CDN Resource and navigate to **Optimization → Images**.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Enable WebP Conversion

Enable the **WebP Conversion** toggle.

<figure><img src="https://542970813-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FtK7oIwmhUHdEJcaH4Hx8%2Fuploads%2FkKKqmxxjEHGxOoFh2e2r%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=3c914fa3-97db-46ab-a15f-6c6fdad24617" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Save the Configuration

Select **Save** in the pending changes bar.

Review the pending configuration changes and confirm the update.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

## Delivery Behavior

WebP delivery is determined automatically based on browser support.

| Client                       | Delivered Format    |
| ---------------------------- | ------------------- |
| Browser with WebP support    | WebP                |
| Browser without WebP support | Original JPG or PNG |

This allows WebP to be introduced without requiring separate image URLs for supported and unsupported clients.

## Browser Support

WebP is supported by current versions of major browsers, including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Apple Safari, and Chromium-based browsers.

Older browser versions may not support WebP or may support only a subset of WebP capabilities.

{% hint style="info" %}
Medianova automatically handles browser compatibility. When WebP is not supported by the requesting client, the original JPG or PNG image is delivered instead.
{% endhint %}

## Best Practices

* Keep the original JPG and PNG assets available as source images.
* Enable WebP Conversion when you want the CDN to handle WebP delivery automatically.
* Evaluate image quality and transfer size using representative production images.
* Use CDN caching together with WebP Conversion to avoid unnecessary repeated processing.
* Consider source image characteristics when comparing WebP file sizes, particularly for PNG images that require transparency or high visual fidelity.

## Important Notes

* WebP Conversion supports JPG and PNG source images.
* Browser support is detected automatically by the CDN.
* Unsupported clients receive the original image format.
* File size reduction varies according to the source image and conversion characteristics.
* Preserving source-level fidelity may result in larger WebP files for some PNG images.

## Related Concepts

* Image Optimization
* WebP+ Optimization


---

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