WebP Image Converter & Replacer – Image Optimisation, No Duplicates, Save Disk Space
by Core Essentials on WordPress.org
WebP Image Converter & Replacer. Replace JPEG, PNG, GIF with WebP, save disk space and speed up your site. No duplicates, no background jobs.
Bulk Conversion Interface – Start converting all images and watch real-time progress.
WebP Image Converter & Replacer is a WordPress plugin that lets you manually convert images to WebP for improved performance and storage savings. It replaces your images (JPEG, PNG, static GIF) with WebP versions only if they are smaller and deletes the original files to free up server space. This plugin does NOT auto-run on image upload, giving you complete control to optimize images on your schedule.
Key Features:
- No Duplicate Images: Unlike other optimizers, this plugin removes the original JPEG/PNG after converting to WebP (when WebP is smaller). Your uploads folder stays lean—no double storage.
- Faster Page Load Times: WebP images are typically 25–35 % smaller than JPEG at similar quality, which helps pages load faster and boosts Core Web Vitals.
- Safety Checks: Originals are only deleted if the WebP conversion succeeds and results in a smaller file. If WebP is larger (rare, usually if the original is tiny or already well-compressed), the plugin keeps the original.
- Preserve Image Meta & Thumbnails: All thumbnail sizes generated by WordPress are also converted and replaced. The plugin updates database references to
.webp, so posts and pages seamlessly use the new files. - No Expensive External API – 100 % On-Server: Uses PHP’s GD or Imagick extensions. No API keys, no external calls—ideal for privacy and closed environments.
- Lightweight and No Runtime Overhead: The plugin runs only during conversion. It adds no front-end scripts or bloat; WordPress simply serves the WebP images afterward.
- Advanced-User Focus: Built for site owners who understand the trade-off of removing originals. Maintain backups and enjoy maximum efficiency (see FAQ).
- Manual Bulk Conversion: One-click bulk convert your selected Media Library to WebP (or convert individual images one by one). No automatic conversion on upload—process images when you decide. (Premium feature available here)
Whether you’re a photographer optimizing a heavy portfolio or a webmaster battling disk quotas, WebP Image Converter & Replacer provides a safe, effective way to modernize images and slim down your website.
IMPORTANT: Because this plugin deletes original images, back up your /wp-content/uploads/ directory and database before running a bulk conversion. Testing on a staging site is also strongly recommended.
Usage
Bulk Convert All Images:
* Navigate to Media Bulk WebP Conversion.
* Click Convert All Images. Keep the page open; progress updates live.
* Review results (converted count, space saved, any skips).
Convert Specific Images:
* In Media Library (list mode), click Convert to WebP under an image—or use bulk actions to convert selected items.
After Conversion:
* Verify pages are loading .webp images (check in browser dev tools).
* Clear caches/CDN if used.
* Any skipped images remain as originals; you can leave them or optimize further and retry conversion.
