WebP to JPG for WordPress & WooCommerce
- Older WordPress installs and some themes reject WebP uploads.
- Converting to JPG before uploading bypasses plugin and compatibility issues.
- No WordPress plugin needed — convert in your browser before you upload.
Table of Contents
Trying to upload a WebP image to WordPress or WooCommerce and getting an error like "Sorry, this file type is not permitted for security reasons"? You’re not alone. WordPress added native WebP support in version 5.8, but older installs, certain security plugins, and some hosting configurations still block WebP. The fastest fix is converting to JPG before you upload.
Why WordPress Rejects WebP Images
Several things cause WordPress to reject WebP uploads:
- WordPress version below 5.8. Full WebP support was added in WP 5.8 (July 2021). Sites running older versions don’t recognize WebP as a valid MIME type.
- Security plugins. Wordfence, iThemes Security, and similar plugins sometimes block WebP uploads by default if their MIME type allowlist isn’t updated.
- Hosting restrictions. Some shared hosts configure PHP’s file upload validation to reject WebP.
- Theme/builder compatibility. Certain page builders and older themes don’t handle WebP thumbnails properly even when WordPress itself accepts the upload.
The Fastest Fix: Convert to JPG Before Uploading
Rather than debugging hosting configs or plugin settings, convert your WebP to JPG first:
- Go to Jay WebP to JPG.
- Upload your WebP images (multiple files supported).
- Set quality to 90 (good balance for web use).
- Download the JPGs and upload those to WordPress instead.
JPG has been a supported WordPress type since version 1.0. This always works, no configuration required. For product images, blog post images, and media library uploads, JPG at quality 85-90 is indistinguishable from the original WebP.
Sell Custom Apparel — We Handle Printing & Free ShippingWooCommerce Product Images Specifically
WooCommerce product images have additional considerations:
- Thumbnails: WooCommerce generates multiple thumbnail sizes from each upload. JPG thumbnails have been supported far longer and more reliably than WebP equivalents in older setups.
- Zoom plugins: Image zoom plugins for product pages (WooZoom, WP Product Image Zoom, etc.) have inconsistent WebP support. JPG works universally.
- Bulk uploads: If you’re uploading a full product catalog from supplier images, batch-convert all WebP images to JPG before the import to avoid mid-import errors.
Alternative: Enable WebP in WordPress (When That Makes Sense)
If you’re on WordPress 5.8+ and want to keep using WebP for the performance benefits, the cleanest fix for upload errors is:
- Update to the latest WordPress version if below 5.8.
- Check your security plugin’s MIME type settings and whitelist WebP (
image/webp). - Contact your host to ensure WebP is allowed in PHP’s upload settings.
But for one-off image uploads or when you just need it working now, converting to JPG is faster than debugging the stack. Do it once, move on.
Fix WordPress WebP Upload Errors — Convert to JPG
Batch convert supplier or site images to JPG before uploading. Free, instant, no plugin.
Convert WebP to JPG FreeFrequently Asked Questions
Why does WordPress say "this file type is not permitted" for WebP?
Your WordPress version may be below 5.8, or a security plugin may be blocking WebP uploads. Converting to JPG bypasses the issue entirely.
Is JPG quality 90 good enough for WooCommerce product images?
Yes. Quality 90 is visually lossless for product images displayed on screen. For print-quality archiving, use 95-100.
Can I batch convert supplier WebP images to JPG before WooCommerce import?
Yes — use the batch mode to select all WebP images at once, download the ZIP, and upload the JPGs to WooCommerce.
Should I use a WordPress plugin to convert WebP instead?
Only if you want to keep WebP in the media library and serve it selectively. For simple upload compatibility, converting to JPG before upload is faster and needs no plugin.
