gif2webp

Convert a GIF image to WebP

$ gif2webp [path/to/image.gif] -o [path/to/image.webp]

gif2webp [options] input.gif -o output.webp

gif2webp converts GIF images, including animated GIFs, to WebP format. WebP typically provides better compression than GIF while maintaining quality, resulting in smaller file sizes suitable for web use.
For animated GIFs, the tool preserves frame timing, loop count, and transparency. It can use lossless compression (preserving exact pixel values) or lossy compression for even smaller files.
The tool is part of Google's libwebp package.

-o FILE

Output WebP filename

Quality factor (0-100), higher is better quality

Compression method (0-6), higher is slower but better

Use lossy compression (default is lossless for GIF)

Use mixed lossy/lossless compression per frame

Minimize output size (slower)

Use compatibility mode for GIF loop count

Filter strength (0-100), for lossy compression

Comma-separated metadata to copy (all, none, icc, xmp)

Verbose output

Lossy compression may introduce artifacts, especially in images with sharp edges or text. Some older browsers don't support animated WebP. Very long or complex animations may take significant time to convert.

gif2webp is part of the WebP project developed by Google. WebP was announced in 2010 as a new image format for the web, offering both lossy and lossless compression. The animated WebP format was added later to provide an alternative to animated GIFs.

cwebp(1), dwebp(1), webpinfo(1), convert(1)