Why Your WebP Is Larger Than the Original PNG
Converting an image to WebP does not guarantee a smaller file. If your exported WebP outweighs the original PNG, check the image content and encoder settings before assuming the converter is broken. Here is a practical way to investigate. 1. Check whether the PNG uses very few colors Logos, icons, and simple interface graphics can compress efficiently as PNG. Converting these images to lossy WebP…
When you convert a PNG image to the WebP format, it does not always result in a smaller file size. If the exported WebP ends up being larger than the original PNG, there are a few factors to consider before concluding the converter is faulty. To troubleshoot, follow these steps:
1. Examine the image content. Images with a limited color palette, like logos and icons, often compress well as PNG. However, when converted to lossy WebP, the color representation changes. This alteration can introduce extra color variations that are more challenging to compress, leading to a bigger file size. For graphics with sharp edges or few colors, try converting them to lossless WebP initially.
2. Distinguish between quality and compression effort. In lossy mode, higher quality settings tend to increase file size. However, achieving a quality level of 100 does not enable lossless compression. Compression effort, on the other hand, is a separate setting. Allowing the encoder more processing time can yield better compression results without needing to lower the quality setting.
Using Google’s cwebp tool, you can generate two candidates: a lossy version with moderate quality and high compression effort, and a lossless version with high compression effort.
3. Compare the outputs. Maintain the same dimensions while comparing the compression. Resizing the images together can make it difficult to pinpoint why the file size changed. Check the following: the downloaded file size in bytes, small text and thin lines at 100% zoom, gradients to spot any banding, and transparent edges against both light and dark backgrounds.
For browser-based conversions, tools like PNG to WebP Converter can also be used. Apply the same checks to the output from these tools; keep in mind that the available controls may differ between tools.
Ultimately, the decision to use WebP should be based on whether the resulting file size is smaller and meets your visual requirements. If the PNG produces a better result, retain it. A successful conversion results in a valid file, and successful optimization should demonstrate a measurable improvement in file size.
Written by urgent.news from Dev.to's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
