Convert WebP to JPG in three steps using free tools
You can convert a WebP image to JPG format using free online converters, built-in operating system tools, or image editing software. The fastest route is an online converter — upload your WebP file, select JPG as the output format, and download the result. If you prefer not to upload files to the internet, Windows 11 and recent Mac systems can convert WebP natively, and free programs like GIMP or Paint.NET work on older machines.
The conversion itself takes seconds. WebP and JPG are both compressed image formats, so you will not lose quality in the way you would converting from a high-quality format down to a smaller one. The main difference is file size — JPG files are usually smaller, which matters if you need to email the image or upload it somewhere with size limits.
Key Takeaways
- Online converters like CloudConvert, Convertio, or Zamzar let you upload a WebP file and download it as JPG without installing anything.
- Windows 11 users can right-click a WebP file, select "Open with" and choose Photos, then use the built-in export function to save as JPG.
- Mac users with recent versions can open WebP files in Preview, go to File > Export, and change the format to JPEG.
- GIMP and Paint.NET are free desktop programs that work on any operating system and give you control over JPG compression quality during conversion.
Using an online converter (fastest method)
Online converters require no software installation and work on any device with a web browser. Go to CloudConvert, Convertio, or Zamzar — all three are free and handle WebP files reliably. Click the upload button, select your WebP file from your computer, and the converter will show you a preview.
Once the file is uploaded, the converter will automatically detect that it is WebP. Look for a dropdown menu or format selector and choose JPG or JPEG. Click the convert button, wait a few seconds, and download the result. The entire process takes less than a minute. If you have multiple WebP files, most online converters let you upload several at once and download them all together as a single ZIP file.
The trade-off with online converters is that your image file travels to someone else's server. If the image contains sensitive information, use an offline method instead.
Converting on Windows 11 using the Photos app
Windows 11 includes built-in support for WebP files. Right-click the WebP image you want to convert and select "Open with." Choose the Photos app from the list. If Photos does not appear, click "Choose another app" and scroll down to find it.
Once the image opens in Photos, look for the three-dot menu button in the top right corner of the window. Click it and select "Edit." In the editing window, click the three-dot menu again and choose "Save as." A dialog box will appear asking you to name the file and choose a format. Click the format dropdown — it will show "PNG" by default — and select "JPEG." Choose where you want to save the file and click "Save." Windows will convert and save the file immediately.
If you have Windows 10 or an older version, the Photos app may not support WebP. Use an online converter or install GIMP instead.
Converting on Mac using Preview
Mac computers can open WebP files directly in Preview, the built-in image viewer. Find your WebP file in Finder, right-click it, and select "Open With" > "Preview." The image will open in the Preview window.
Once the image is open, go to the File menu at the top and click "Export." A save dialog will appear. Look for the "Format" dropdown near the bottom — it will show "WebP" by default. Click the dropdown and select "JPEG." You can adjust the quality slider if you want — higher numbers mean better quality but larger file size. The default setting is usually fine. Choose where to save the file and click "Save."
This method works on macOS Big Sur and newer. If you have an older Mac, use an online converter or download GIMP.
Using GIMP for more control over quality
GIMP is a free image editor available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. Download it from gimp.org and install it following the on-screen instructions. Once installed, open GIMP and go to File > Open. Select your WebP file and click Open.
The image will load into the GIMP workspace. Go to File > Export As. A dialog box will appear with a filename field at the top. Change the filename extension from .webp to .jpg — for example, change "photo.webp" to "photo.jpg." GIMP will automatically detect the JPG format from the extension. Click Export.
A JPG options window will appear. You will see a Quality slider set to 90 by default. This is a good balance between file size and image quality. If you want a smaller file, lower the number to 75 or 80. If you want the best possible quality, raise it to 95. Click Export again to save the file. GIMP will create the JPG file in the location you chose.
Using Paint.NET on Windows
Paint.NET is a lightweight free image editor for Windows. Download it from getpaint.net and install it. Open Paint.NET and go to File > Open. Select your WebP file and click Open.
Once the image loads, go to File > Export As. A dialog box will open. At the bottom, you will see a dropdown that says "All Supported Images." Click it and select "JPEG Image (.jpg)." Type a filename in the text field at the top — you do not need to add the .jpg extension, Paint.NET will add it automatically. Choose where you want to save the file and click Export.
A JPEG export options window will appear with a Quality slider. The default setting of 95 is high quality. You can lower it to 80 or 85 if you want a smaller file. Click OK to save the file.
Choosing between methods
Use an online converter if you want the fastest result and do not mind uploading your file to the internet. Use the Photos app on Windows 11 or Preview on Mac if you want to stay offline and do not need to adjust quality settings. Use GIMP or Paint.NET if you want control over compression quality or if you need to convert many files at once.
All methods produce a valid JPG file that you can open in any image viewer, email program, or website that accepts JPG uploads. The choice comes down to what is already on your computer and whether you want to install new software.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the JPG file look different from the WebP file?
No. Both WebP and JPG are compressed formats, so converting between them does not change the visible image. The JPG file will look identical to the original WebP file on screen. The file size may be slightly different depending on the compression settings you use.
Can I convert multiple WebP files to JPG at once?
Yes. Online converters like CloudConvert and Zamzar let you upload multiple files and convert them all together. GIMP and Paint.NET require you to convert files one at a time, but the process is fast enough that batch conversion is still quicker than using an online tool for large numbers of files.
What if the online converter does not recognize my WebP file?
Try a different converter — Convertio and Zamzar are more reliable than some smaller services. If multiple converters reject the file, the WebP file may be corrupted. Try opening it in an image viewer first to confirm it displays correctly. If it does not, the file cannot be converted.
Does converting to JPG make the file smaller?
Usually, yes. JPG compression is often more aggressive than WebP compression, so the JPG file will typically be smaller. If file size matters for your purpose, use GIMP or Paint.NET and lower the quality slider to reduce the file size further.
Can I convert JPG back to WebP?
Yes, using the same methods in reverse. Online converters, GIMP, and Paint.NET all support converting JPG to WebP. The process is identical — just select WebP as the output format instead of JPG.