Convert GIF to WEBP in Java

JDeli is a pure Java library that converts GIF to WEBP without native dependencies. It accepts File, InputStream, and byte[] input, and supports batch conversion from the command line.

GIF supports animation and transparency but is limited to 256 colours. Converting to modern formats typically reduces file size while preserving visual quality, though GIF animation will not be retained.

Why use JDeli instead of Java ImageIO

Java’s built-in ImageIO cannot write WEBP. JDeli provides a pure Java encoder with no native dependencies required.

To run the code examples you will need to download the JDeli jar:

Download JDeli

Convert GIF to WEBP in one line of code

The JDeli.convert() methods allow you to save GIF as WEBP in just ONE line of code!

Using File

JDeli.convert(File inFile, File outFile);
JDeli.convert(File inFile, EncoderOptions encoderOptions, File outfile);
JDeli.convert(File inFile, File outfile, ImageProcessingOps imageProcessingOps);

Using InputStream and OutputStream

JDeli.convert(InputStream inputStream, OutputStream outputStream, "webp");
JDeli.convert(InputStream inputStream, EncoderOptions encoderOptions, OutputStream outputStream);
JDeli.convert(InputStream inputStream, OutputStream outputStream, ImageProcessingOps imageProcessingOps);

Using byte[]

byte[] outputData = JDeli.convert(byte[] inputData, "webp");
byte[] outputData = JDeli.convert(byte[] inputData, EncoderOptions encoderOptions);
byte[] outputData = JDeli.convert(byte[] inputData, "webp", ImageProcessingOps imageProcessingOps);

Batch convert GIF to WEBP from command line

Change image formats from command line or bash, bat, and powershell scripts. This method can also be used to invoke JDeli from any programming language that allows you to create a child process.

java -jar jdeli.jar --convert webp "inputFileOrDir" "outputDir"

How to convert from GIF into WEBP in Java as separate steps

Sometimes there is a requirement to convert between formats as separate steps. JDeli also allows the image to be read in as a BufferedImage and then written out later.

1. Read GIF image into Java

   BufferedImage bufferedImage = JDeli.read(new File("gifImageFile.gif"));  
   

2. Process image if needed (scale, sharpen, lighten, watermark, etc)

   bufferedImage = operations.apply(BufferedImage bufferedImage); // Optional
   

3. Write out BufferedImage as WEBP image file

   JDeli.write(bufferedImage, "webp", new File("webpImageFile.webp"));
   

Frequently asked questions

Does Java support WEBP natively?
No. ImageIO cannot write WEBP. JDeli provides a pure Java encoder with no native dependencies required.

Can I convert GIF to WEBP without installing native libraries?
Yes. JDeli is a pure Java library. It runs on any platform where the JVM runs with no additional installation.

What input types does JDeli accept for GIF conversion?
JDeli accepts File, InputStream, and byte[] as input. Output can be written to a File, OutputStream, or returned as byte[].

Can I process the image during conversion?
Yes. All JDeli.convert() variants accept an ImageProcessingOps parameter, so you can scale, sharpen, watermark, and apply other operations in the same step. The two-step read/write approach also supports this if you need more control.

View Javadoc

Related conversions

See the JDeli conversion overview for a full list of supported format conversions.