What should I do if WebP images look different in Safari?

If WebP images look different in Safari, the usual causes are color profile, transparency, or format support/version issues. Try these checks:

1) Confirm Safari version

Older Safari versions had limited WebP support. Make sure you’re testing on a recent version of Safari/macOS/iOS.

2) Check the image’s color profile

Safari can render color-managed images differently than Chrome/Firefox.

• Ensure the image is saved in sRGB
• Avoid unusual embedded profiles like Display P3 if you want consistent appearance
• Re-export the image from an editor as sRGB WebP

3) Compare against the source image

If the WebP was converted from PNG/JPEG, the conversion may have changed:

• gamma/contrast
• saturation
• transparency blending
• sharpness

Try re-encoding with different settings and compare output.

4) Test transparency

If the image has an alpha channel, Safari may display edges differently on certain backgrounds.

• Check how it looks on white, black, and patterned backgrounds
• If needed, flatten the image before converting to WebP

5) Use fallback formats

For maximum compatibility, serve a fallback image:

<picture>
  <source srcset="image.webp" type="image/webp">
  <img src="image.jpg" alt="Example">
</picture>

6) Recompress with a different tool

Some encoders produce WebP files that render slightly differently across browsers. Try:

• libwebp
• ImageMagick
• Squoosh
• sharp

7) Inspect the CSS

Sometimes the issue is not the file itself but how it’s displayed:

• object-fit
• image-rendering
• filters
• opacity
• blending modes

If you want, I can help you troubleshoot a specific WebP by checking:

• how it was encoded,
• the Safari version,
• and whether the problem is color, transparency, or layout.