What is AVIF? The Complete 2026 Guide to AV1 Image File Format
AVIF (AV1 Image File Format) is the modern web image format, roughly 30-50% smaller than JPG at the same quality and now supported in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. Here is what AVIF is, when to use it, and when to convert it for older systems.
Quick answer: AVIF is a modern image format based on the AV1 video codec. It produces files 30-50% smaller than JPG at the same visual quality and supports transparency, HDR, and wide color gamut. Use AVIF for modern web delivery; convert to JPG, PNG, or WebP for older systems that don't support it.
What is AVIF?
AVIF (AV1 Image File Format) is an open, royalty-free image format released in 2019 by the Alliance for Open Media. It uses the AV1 video codec applied to still images, producing significantly smaller files than JPG with better quality preservation.
AVIF supports features JPG lacks: lossless encoding, transparency (alpha channel), HDR (10-bit and 12-bit color), wide color gamut, and animated images (similar to GIF but vastly more efficient).
AVIF vs JPG vs WebP vs PNG
| Format | File size (vs JPG) | Lossless | Transparency | HDR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AVIF | 30-50% smaller | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| WebP | 25-35% smaller | Yes | Yes | No |
| JPG | Baseline | No | No | No |
| PNG | 3-5× larger | Yes | Yes | No |
Browser support (as of 2026)
- Chrome: ✅ since version 85 (2020)
- Firefox: ✅ since version 93 (2021)
- Safari: ✅ since version 16 (2022, iOS 16 / macOS Ventura)
- Edge: ✅ since version 121 (2024)
- Older browsers: ❌ Safari 15 and earlier, IE, legacy Android browsers
When to use AVIF
- Modern websites prioritizing performance — Core Web Vitals (LCP) significantly improves with smaller image payloads
- Hero images on landing pages — bandwidth saved is bandwidth gained for conversion
- Photo galleries with picture/srcset — serve AVIF to modern browsers, fall back to JPG for older ones
- HDR content — AVIF is one of the few formats that supports it efficiently
When to convert AVIF (to JPG, PNG, or WebP)
- Older browsers in target audience — if analytics show Safari 15 or earlier traffic, provide fallback
- Legacy CMS platforms — many older WordPress themes, e-commerce platforms still expect JPG
- Social media schedulers — some platforms reject AVIF on upload
- Email signatures — most email clients still don't render AVIF
- Print workflows — most print services only accept JPG, PNG, or TIFF
Need to convert AVIF?
ConvertFilesNow uses your browser's built-in AVIF decoder (no library needed) and exports to JPG, PNG, or WebP. Free, in-browser, no signup.
Frequently asked questions
Is AVIF better than JPG?
For modern web delivery, yes — AVIF produces files 30-50% smaller at the same visual quality, supports transparency and HDR, and works in all modern browsers. For maximum compatibility with older systems, JPG remains the safe choice.
What is the difference between AVIF and WebP?
Both are modern image formats, but AVIF produces smaller files (30-50% vs JPG) compared to WebP (25-35% vs JPG) and supports HDR. WebP has slightly broader browser support (works in Safari 14+ vs AVIF requiring Safari 16+). Use AVIF for newest browsers, WebP for wider compatibility.
Why is my browser not opening AVIF files?
You're probably on Safari 15 or earlier, an older Android browser, or a legacy Windows browser. Update to Chrome 85+, Firefox 93+, Safari 16+, or Edge 121+. Alternatively, convert AVIF to JPG, PNG, or WebP for universal compatibility.
Can I make AVIF images on my computer?
Yes. Modern image tools like ImageMagick, Squoosh (browser-based), and Adobe Photoshop (with plugin) can encode AVIF. ConvertFilesNow currently handles AVIF-to-other-formats; for creating AVIF, use Squoosh or similar.
Does AVIF support animation like GIF?
Yes. AVIF supports image sequences for animations, typically with much better quality and smaller files than GIF. Browser support for animated AVIF lags slightly behind static AVIF support.
Is AVIF royalty-free?
Yes. AVIF is based on the AV1 video codec, developed by the Alliance for Open Media (AOMedia) and released as royalty-free. This is a major advantage over HEIC, which relies on patented HEVC.