How to Compress a WebP File That's Still Too Big
Even an already-efficient WebP can usually go smaller. Here's how, and how far to push it.
WebP is already more efficient than JPG or PNG at a given quality level, but "more efficient" doesn't mean "as small as possible." A WebP exported at a high quality setting - common when a tool defaults to quality-first rather than size-first - can often still be compressed meaningfully further.
How to compress a WebP file
- Upload the WebP file to a WebP compressor.
- Choose a quality level - if the current file is still too large, try a moderate reduction first rather than going straight to the lowest setting.
- Compare the result to the original, checking any areas with fine detail or text.
- Download once you're happy with the size-to-quality balance.
Where to start
If the original WebP was exported at a high quality setting (roughly 90%+), there's usually meaningful room to drop to somewhere around 75-85% with little to no visible difference. If it was already compressed moderately, further gains will be smaller and quality loss becomes noticeable sooner - at that point, a format or dimension change may help more than continuing to lower quality.
If compressing further isn't enough
- Check whether the image is larger in pixel dimensions than it needs to be for where it's used - resizing down often saves more than adjusting quality alone
- If you're compressing many WebP files with the same size problem, a bulk compressor handles them all in one pass
Frequently asked questions
Isn't WebP already compressed? Why would I compress it more?
WebP images are typically exported at a certain quality level, which may not have been optimized for file size. Re-compressing at a more aggressive setting - or re-encoding a high-quality WebP at a lower one - can shrink it further, the same way a JPG can be re-compressed.
How much smaller can I realistically get a WebP?
It depends on the original quality setting, but it's common to shave another 15-30% off a WebP that wasn't originally optimized for size, often with little to no visible difference.
Is there a point where compressing further isn't worth it?
Yes - once you start seeing blotchy patches or noticeably softened detail, especially around text or fine textures, you've gone past the useful range and should dial the quality back up.