Embracing WebP in WordPress paves the way for visually stunning, faster-loading websites, bridging the gap between high-quality content and optimum performance.

WebP Images in WordPress refers to the use of the WebP image format within the WordPress content management system. WebP is an image format developed by Google that offers more efficient compression and improved image quality compared to traditional formats like JPEG and PNG.

By using WebP Images in WordPress, website owners can significantly reduce the file sizes of their images without sacrificing visual quality. This results in faster page load times, improved website performance, and better user experiences. However, since WebP is not natively supported by all web browsers, WordPress websites typically require a plugin or additional configurations to serve WebP Images.
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In a general comparison of file sizes, here are approximate size ratios for WebP, JPG, and PNG:
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WebP images tend to have smaller file sizes compared to JPG and PNG, often resulting in around a 30-50% reduction in file size compared to JPG and a 50-80% reduction compared to PNG.
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JPG files are typically smaller than PNG but larger than WebP, with file sizes approximately 70-90% of PNG.

PNG files tend to have larger file sizes compared to both WebP and JPG, with file sizes approximately 110-150% of JPG.

Please note that these ratios are approximate and can vary depending on various factors such as image content, compression settings, and the specific implementation of the image formats.
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1. Google Chrome: Chrome supports WebP on both desktop and mobile platforms.

2. Mozilla Firefox: Firefox supports WebP on both desktop and mobile platforms. However, enabling specific settings in about: config may be required.

3. Microsoft Edge: Microsoft Edge, including both the classic EdgeHTML-based version and the newer Chromium-based version, supports WebP.

4. Safari (iOS and macOS): Safari on iOS and macOS 11 Big Sur and later supports WebP. Earlier versions of macOS may not have native support for WebP.

5. Opera: Opera, available on both desktop and mobile platforms, supports WebP. It benefits from the built-in WebP support provided by the underlying Chromium framework.

WebP images offer superior compression compared to traditional image formats like JPEG and PNG. By using WebP images in WordPress, you can significantly reduce the file size of your images without compromising visual quality. This leads to faster page load times, better website performance, and a smoother user experience.
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With smaller file sizes, WebP images consume less bandwidth when loading on a website. This is particularly beneficial for mobile users or visitors with limited data plans, as it reduces data usage and allows pages to load faster, even on slower network connections.
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Despite the smaller file sizes, WebP images can retain high-quality visuals due to their advanced compression techniques. The format supports both lossy and lossless compression, providing flexibility in balancing image quality and file size based on your specific needs.
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While not all web browsers natively support WebP, there are plugins and configurations available for WordPress that enable browser detection and serve WebP images to compatible browsers. This ensures a seamless experience for users with browsers that support WebP, while providing fallback options for those without support.
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Website performance, including page load speed, is a crucial factor in search engine optimization (SEO). By using WebP images to optimize performance, you can potentially improve your website's search engine rankings and increase organic traffic.
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As the web evolves, it's likely that support for WebP will continue to grow. By adopting WebP images in WordPress now, you're embracing a modern image format that aligns with current web standards and positions your website for future compatibility.
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To begin with, you need to install a plugin that supports converting images to the WebP format since WordPress does not support this functionality natively. Below are some of the popular plugins you can use:

For this example, we will use EWWW Image Optimizer.

Read: The WordPress Dashboard Explained
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Navigate to the plugin's settings page. For the EWWW Image Optimizer, you can access this by going to the left side menu Settings > EWWW Image Optimizer.

On the settings page, you should enable the option for WebP conversion. With EWWW Image Optimizer, you will find it at the bottom of the tab Basic. ensure 'WebP Conversion' is selected.

When you select the option few more options will appear just below it. From here you can choose the Delivery Method. After selecting one, Hit the Save Changes button.

Now all the new uploads will be optimized automatically.

Read: How to Bulk Upload Files to Media Library
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After setting up your plugin, the next step is to convert your existing images to WebP. Many plugins offer bulk optimization options. With the EWWW Image Optimizer plugin, you can do this from the launching page of the plugin by going to Bulk Optimizer.

Next press the Scan for unoptimized Images. You can see there is a checkbox right beside WebP only. Click on it after the scan gets completed.

Now click on the Optimize <number> Images button to convert the other format images into WebP Images.

Once your images have been converted to WebP, you'll want to make sure they're being served to users with browsers that support WebP. Many plugins will automatically serve the appropriate format based on the user's browser.

However, if you need to manually implement this, you can do so by using the 'picture' HTML element. This allows you to specify multiple source files and will serve the most appropriate one based on the browser's capabilities.

Here's an example:

HTML
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In this example, browsers that support WebP will load the .webp file, while others will fall back to the .jpg file.
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Finally, after you've set everything up, you should test your website to ensure that WebP images are being served correctly. You can do this using various online tools, such as PageSpeed Insights, which provide information about the images being loaded on your site.

First, you need to convert your images to the WebP format. There are numerous online tools and software available for this purpose. Here's how you can use an online tool:

After you have your WebP images, upload them to your WordPress media library as you would with any other image file.

Next, go to the page or post where you want to use the image. In the WordPress editor, insert your WebP image. WordPress will automatically create the HTML for your image. It might look something like this:

HTML
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Remember that not all browsers support WebP, so you should include a fallback to a JPEG or PNG version of the image for these browsers. This can be done using the 'picture' HTML element, as shown below:

HTML
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Now, you need to tell your server to deliver WebP files as images. This can be done by adding a few lines of code to your .htaccess file.

Here's how:

apache
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​Save your .htaccess file and Upload it back to your website, overwriting the original file.

Read: How to Use WordPress Files
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In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, the adoption of next-generation image formats like WebP is a critical step toward optimizing website performance. Through the use of plugins or manual methods, WordPress users can effectively incorporate WebP images into their sites, balancing the need for high-quality visuals and speedy page load times. With the potential to enhance user experience, reduce bandwidth usage, and improve SEO rankings, the integration of WebP in WordPress, although it requires careful implementation due to varying browser support, represents a significant opportunity for website owners aiming to stay at the forefront of web technology trends.