What is AVIF?
AVIF (AV1 Image File Format) is a modern image format based on the AV1 video codec, developed by the Alliance for Open Media (AOMedia). It delivers 30-50% smaller files than JPEG and 20-30% smaller than WebP at equivalent visual quality.
AVIF supports advanced features like HDR, wide color gamuts (10/12-bit color depth), transparency, and animation — making it one of the most capable image formats available today.
When to use AVIF
AVIF is the right choice when you need:
- → Smallest possible files — Best-in-class compression for photos and graphics
- → Web performance — Faster loading, lower bandwidth, better Core Web Vitals
- → HDR and wide color — 10/12-bit color depth for rich, vibrant images
- → Transparency with tiny files — Alpha channel support with superior compression
Limitations
AVIF isn't ideal for every situation:
- × Newer format — Less software support compared to JPG, PNG, or WebP
- × Slower encoding — AVIF takes longer to encode than JPG or WebP
- × Limited editing tools — Many image editors don't yet support AVIF natively
- × Not universally shareable — Some email clients and social platforms don't accept AVIF
Browser support
AVIF has strong modern browser support:
Over 93% of web users can view AVIF images natively. For the remaining users, you can provide WebP or JPG fallbacks.
Technical specifications
Color depth
8, 10, or 12-bit color
Compression
AV1 intra-frame (lossy and lossless)
Transparency
Full alpha channel support
Animation
Supported (AVIF sequences)
File extension
.avif
MIME type
image/avif
AVIF vs WebP vs JPG
| Feature | AVIF | WebP | JPG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lossy compression | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lossless compression | Yes | Yes | No |
| Transparency | Yes | Yes | No |
| Animation | Yes | Yes | No |
| HDR support | Yes | No | No |
| File size (typical) | Smallest | Small | Medium |
Convert AVIF
Convert AVIF images to other formats or convert other formats to AVIF.
Convert AVIF to other formats
Universal compatibility
Lossless editing format
Broad browser support
Convert to AVIF
Quality settings
AVIF supports both lossy and lossless compression:
Quality 0-100. 65-80% is usually optimal for photos, offering excellent compression.
Perfect quality preservation with better compression than PNG.