Using WebP images in WordPress, Shopify and Wix
What each platform does with WebP, and when to convert images yourself.
WebP images are smaller than JPG and PNG at the same quality, and every current browser displays them. Whether you should convert your images yourself depends on the platform, because some already do it for you. This guide reflects how the platforms behave at the time of writing; they change, so check their current help pages if something looks different.
WordPress
WordPress has accepted WebP uploads in the media library since version 5.8, on hosts where the server's image library supports WebP. Once uploaded, a WebP works like any other image in posts, pages and most themes. WordPress does not convert your JPG uploads to WebP on its own; that is done by image optimisation plugins or by your host.
Convert yourself when: you want smaller files without adding a plugin, or you are uploading a batch of new images. Run them through JPG to WebP before uploading. Keep PNG for logos only if your theme renders WebP transparency badly, which is rare.
Shopify
Shopify's image CDN serves images in modern formats such as WebP automatically to browsers that support them, whatever format you uploaded. The upload format matters less than the upload size: a 5 MB product photo is still processed from 5 MB. Shopify accepts WebP uploads directly as well.
Convert yourself when: rarely for format reasons. Instead, resize product photos to around 2000 to 2048 pixels on the longest side before uploading, which keeps zoom sharp without wasting space.
Wix
Wix optimises uploaded images and serves WebP to supporting browsers automatically. As with Shopify, sensible upload dimensions matter more than converting yourself.
Convert yourself when: you need a WebP file for somewhere outside Wix, or the site editor's own optimisation is not enough for a very image-heavy page.
Other places WebP shows up
- Squarespace, Webflow and most modern builders accept WebP uploads, and many also convert automatically.
- Email newsletters are the exception: support for WebP in email clients is still patchy. Use JPG and PNG in emails.
- Marketplaces and upload forms often reject WebP. Keep JPG versions of anything you list elsewhere.
When a WebP will not open
Sometimes the problem runs the other way: you download a WebP from a website and an older program, a print shop or a form will not take it. Convert it back with WebP to JPG, or WebP to PNG if it has transparency.
A simple workflow for any platform
- Resize images to the largest size they will be displayed.
- If the platform does not convert automatically, convert to WebP at quality 80.
- Keep the originals in a folder, so you can re-export if the platform or theme changes.