HEIC to WebP Converter
Convert Apple's HEIC photos into WebP files — small like the original, but supported by every modern browser and website.
What Is HEIC?
HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is the default photo format on iPhones and iPads since iOS 11. It uses the HEIF (High Efficiency Image Format) standard, which delivers the same visual quality as JPG at roughly half the file size.
Apple adopted HEIC because it saves significant storage space on devices. The format also supports features like Live Photos, depth maps, and transparency.
Why Convert to WebP?
HEIC's efficiency doesn't help outside the Apple ecosystem — most browsers, websites, and image tools don't support it at all. WebP was built by Google for exactly the same goal (small files, high quality) but with support baked into every modern browser. Converting to WebP keeps file sizes close to the HEIC original while making the image usable on the web.
How This Tool Works
This converter runs entirely in your browser. When you drop a HEIC file onto the page, it is decoded and re-encoded as a WebP image — all in your device's memory. Your photo is never uploaded to any server.
HEIC vs WebP — When to Use Each
| Feature | HEIC | WebP |
|---|---|---|
| File size | Very small | Very small |
| Image quality | Excellent at low file sizes | Excellent at low file sizes |
| Transparency | Supported | Supported |
| Animation | Supported (like Live Photos) | Supported |
| Compatibility | Apple devices only | All modern browsers and most apps |
| Web support | Not supported by browsers | Fully supported |
| Editing support | Limited (few editors support it) | Widely supported |
Keep HEIC When
- Storing photos on your iPhone or iPad
- Saving space on Apple devices
- Working within the Apple ecosystem (AirDrop, iCloud, Mac)
- You need Live Photo or depth map data
Convert to WebP When
- Publishing images on a website for faster page loads
- You need small files that also work outside the Apple ecosystem
- Uploading to platforms or CMS tools that expect standard web image formats
- You want to keep transparency without JPG's larger file size
Common Scenarios for HEIC to WebP Conversion
Publishing Photos on a Website
WebP is one of the most efficient formats for web images, and most modern browsers display it natively. Converting your iPhone photos from HEIC to WebP gives you small, fast-loading images without the compatibility problems HEIC causes in a browser. If you're optimizing a whole page's load time, our CSS/JS Minifier is a good next step for shrinking the rest of the page's assets.
Keeping Transparency in a Small File
If your HEIC photo has a transparent background — a product shot or a sticker-style image — WebP keeps that transparency while staying just as compact as the original HEIC.
Sharing on Platforms That Support Modern Formats
Many content management systems, e-commerce platforms, and design tools now accept WebP directly. Converting from HEIC avoids the "unsupported file type" errors that come from uploading straight from an iPhone.
Reducing Storage on Cloud Platforms
If you're uploading photos to a service that doesn't understand HEIC but does accept WebP, converting first keeps your uploads small instead of falling back to a much larger JPG.
Building a Consistent Image Library
If your other web images are already in WebP, converting HEIC photos to match keeps your entire image library in one consistent, efficient format.
Other Ways to Convert HEIC to WebP
You can also convert HEIC to WebP using an image editor like GIMP or Photoshop, both of which support WebP export. FileCast is useful when you don't have an image editor installed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to convert my photos here?
Yes. This tool processes your files entirely in your browser. Your photos are never uploaded to a server — the conversion happens in your device's memory. When you close the tab, all data is gone.
Does converting to WebP reduce image quality?
Slightly. WebP is a lossy format by default, so there is a small quality reduction during conversion. This tool uses a 90% quality setting, which keeps images visually indistinguishable from the original in normal viewing.
What happens to transparency in my HEIC image?
WebP fully supports transparency, so any transparent areas in your HEIC image will carry over into the WebP file without being filled in.
Will the file size change after conversion?
It varies, but WebP and HEIC are both highly efficient formats, so the file size difference is usually small compared to converting to JPG or PNG. The exact result depends on the image content.
Can I convert multiple HEIC files at once?
Currently, this tool converts one file at a time. Drop a file, convert it, download, then click "Convert Another" for the next one. Batch conversion is planned for a future update.