Convert GIF to WebP Online
Free, private GIF to WebP converter. Your files never leave your browser. All processing happens locally on your device.
Drag & drop files here
images, PDFs, documents, audio, video, and more
No Server Uploads
FormatShift converts files directly in your browser. Your files never leave your device, so there's nothing to intercept or leak.
Instant Export
Files convert on your machine, so downloads are ready right away, even on slow connections.
High Fidelity
Good encoding keeps your files looking and sounding right, even at smaller sizes.
Built for Privacy
Your files are processed entirely in your browser. They never leave your device.
How to convert GIF to WebP
Drop your GIF file
Drag your file onto the converter above, or click to browse your files. Your files stay on your device.
Automatic conversion
FormatShift converts your file right in your browser using WebAssembly. No server involved, so your data stays completely private.
Download your WebP file
Once the conversion finishes, click the download button and you are done. The converted file is ready to use.
Why convert GIF to WebP?
GIF and WebP serve different purposes. Converting between them lets you use whichever format works best for your situation.
What is a GIF file?
Graphics Interchange Format: GIF is best known for short animations and memes. The format has been around since 1987 and is limited to 256 colors, which makes it a poor choice for photographs but fine for simple graphics and loops.
Created by: CompuServe, first released in 1987
Used for: Short animations, memes, simple graphics, reaction images
Technical details: Lossless compression but limited to a 256-color palette. Supports simple frame-based animation and single-color transparency.
Compatibility: Supported everywhere. Every browser, messaging app, and social platform handles GIF.
What is a WebP file?
Web Picture format: WebP is Google's image format built specifically for the web. It produces smaller files than both JPEG and PNG while keeping similar quality. Most modern browsers support it, though older software sometimes does not.
Created by: Google, first released in 2010
Used for: Web images, page speed optimization, anywhere file size matters
Technical details: Supports both lossy and lossless compression, plus transparency and animation. Typically 25-35% smaller than JPEG at comparable quality.
Compatibility: All modern browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge). Some older image editors may not open WebP files.
GIF vs WebP
| Feature | GIF | WebP |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Graphics Interchange Format | Web Picture format |
| Best for | Short animations, memes, simple graphics, reaction images | Web images, page speed optimization, anywhere file size matters |
| Compatibility | Supported everywhere. Every browser, messaging app, and social platform handles GIF. | All modern browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge). Some older image editors may not open WebP files. |
| Pros | Animation support, universal compatibility, small file size for simple graphics | Smaller files than JPEG and PNG, supports transparency and animation |
| Cons | 256-color limit makes photos look bad, no partial transparency, animation files can get large | Not as universally supported as JPEG or PNG outside of web browsers |