WebP Image Format
WebP delivers smaller files than JPEG/PNG for equivalent quality — widely used for web delivery via `<picture>`, CDN transforms, and Next.js image optimization.
What It Defines
Modern raster format from Google using VP8/VP8L keyframes for lossy/lossless still images and extended animation. RIFF container with `WEBP` chunk. Supports alpha and EXIF/XMP metadata. MIME type: `image/webp`.
Canonical (Normative)
Convenient (Practical)
gRPC is an open-source RPC framework originally developed at Google. It uses Protocol Buffers (protobuf) as its IDL and wire format, and HTTP/2 as the transport. Now a CNCF graduated project.
Related Specs
PNG is the default lossless image format on the web — screenshots, UI assets, icons with transparency, and OCR-friendly graphics. Chunk structure matters for metadata stripping and security review.
JPEG dominates photo storage and delivery. EXIF metadata (GPS, camera, orientation) lives in APP1 markers — relevant for privacy, image processing, and upload pipelines.
AVIF is the next-generation web image format — `<picture>` fallbacks, CDN support, and browser adoption make it worth knowing for asset pipelines and performance work.
WebM is the default output of browser MediaRecorder and a common delivery format for open web video. EBML element structure differs from MP4 boxes.