AVIF Tools
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 — a coalition that includes Google, Apple, Mozilla, Netflix, Amazon, and Intel. It was finalised in 2019 and has seen rapid browser adoption since then.
AVIF achieves significantly better compression than JPG and WebP while maintaining high visual quality. At comparable file sizes, AVIF images look noticeably better than JPG, with fewer compression artefacts, smoother gradients, and more accurate colours.
Browser and Software Support
AVIF is now supported across all major modern browsers:
| Browser | AVIF Support Since |
|---|---|
| Chrome | Version 85 (August 2020) |
| Firefox | Version 93 (October 2021) |
| Safari | Version 16 (September 2022) |
| Edge | Version 121 (January 2024) |
| Opera | Version 71 (2020) |
Outside the browser, support is growing but less universal. Many image editors (Photoshop, GIMP, Affinity Photo) have added AVIF support. Windows 11 includes a built-in AVIF codec. macOS Ventura and later preview AVIF files natively in Quick Look and Preview.
AVIF vs. JPG
| Feature | AVIF | JPG |
|---|---|---|
| File size (same quality) | 40–60% smaller | Baseline |
| Visual quality | Better — fewer artefacts | Good for photos |
| Transparency | Supported (alpha channel) | Not supported |
| HDR / wide colour | Supported | Limited |
| Browser support | Chrome, Firefox, Safari 16+, Edge | Universal |
| Software support | Growing | Universal |
| Best for | Web delivery on modern browsers | Maximum compatibility |
For web images where you can target modern browsers, AVIF is the better choice on file size and quality. For anything that needs to open in older software, email clients, or print workflows, JPG remains the safer option.
AVIF vs. WebP
| Feature | AVIF | WebP |
|---|---|---|
| Compression efficiency | Better (typically 20–30% smaller) | Good |
| Visual quality at low bitrates | Better — preserves detail in shadows and gradients | Good |
| Transparency | Supported | Supported |
| Animation | Supported | Supported |
| Browser support | Chrome 85+, Firefox 93+, Safari 16+, Edge 121+ | All modern browsers |
| Encoding support | Chrome 93+, Firefox 93+ (not Safari) | All modern browsers |
WebP has broader encoding support and is the safer choice when you need to generate images directly in the browser. AVIF is the better format for pre-encoded images served from a web server.
AVIF vs. PNG
PNG is a lossless format — every pixel is preserved exactly. AVIF is lossy by default, though it supports near-lossless encoding at high quality settings.
PNG is the right choice when pixel-perfect accuracy is required — for screenshots, text-heavy graphics, icons, or any image that will be edited further. AVIF is better for photographs and complex images where a small quality tradeoff produces a dramatically smaller file.
For transparent images (logos, UI elements, illustrations), AVIF is a strong alternative to PNG on supporting browsers: AVIF supports transparency and will produce a much smaller file than a lossless PNG for photographic content with transparency.
AVIF Encoding Browser Support
One important limitation: while all modern browsers can display AVIF images, not all can encode them via the Canvas API. AVIF encoding (converting another format to AVIF) currently requires Chrome 93+ or Firefox 93+. Safari does not support AVIF encoding via the Canvas API as of early 2026.
This means the "to AVIF" converter tools on this site require Chrome or Firefox. Each tool checks for encoding support when it loads and will show a clear message if your browser doesn't support it.
When to Use AVIF
AVIF is the right format when:
- You are optimising images for a website and want the smallest possible file sizes
- Your users are on modern browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari 16+, Edge)
- You want to reduce bandwidth usage and improve Core Web Vitals scores
- You have images with fine gradients, shadows, or complex textures where WebP shows artefacts
- You need a modern format with transparency support as an alternative to PNG
Stick with JPG or WebP when:
- You need files to open in older software, email clients, or print workflows
- You are generating images in the browser and need Safari encoding support (use WebP instead)
- Maximum compatibility is more important than file size
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does AVIF stand for?
- AVIF stands for AV1 Image File Format. It uses the same compression technology as the AV1 video codec, which was developed by the Alliance for Open Media as a royalty-free alternative to HEVC.
- Is AVIF royalty-free?
- Yes. AV1 and AVIF were specifically designed to be royalty-free, in contrast to HEVC/HEIC which has licensing costs. This is one reason browser vendors adopted AVIF quickly.
- How much smaller is AVIF compared to JPG?
- Typical real-world results show AVIF files are 40–60% smaller than JPG at equivalent visual quality. The exact saving depends heavily on the image content — photos with fine detail compress especially well.
- Can AVIF files be used in emails?
- Not reliably. Most email clients (including Gmail, Outlook, and Apple Mail) do not render AVIF images. Use JPG for email images.
- Does AVIF support animation?
- Yes. AVIF supports animation, similar to animated GIFs or WebP. However, animated AVIF is not yet widely supported in tools and encoders, and the browser-based converters on this site handle static images only.
- Does AVIF support transparency?
- Yes. AVIF has a full alpha channel and supports smooth partial transparency, unlike GIF (binary on/off) or JPG (none at all).
- Is AVIF safe to use on my website?
- Yes, with a caveat: use a
<picture>element with AVIF as the preferred source and a JPG or WebP fallback for older browsers. This ensures every visitor gets a compatible image regardless of their browser.
<picture>
<source srcset="image.avif" type="image/avif">
<source srcset="image.webp" type="image/webp">
<img src="image.jpg" alt="Description">
</picture>