What Is an AVIF File? AVIF vs WEBP vs JPG
Quick answer
An AVIF file is an image saved in the AV1 Image File Format. It is published by the Alliance for Open Media and stores images made with the AV1 video codec inside a HEIF container. It makes small files and supports transparency, HDR and animation.
Free tool
AVIF to PNG Converter. Convert AVIF images to PNG in your browser.
You will usually meet AVIF when you save an image from a website. More sites now serve AVIF to cut page weight, and current versions of all major browsers can show it.
What AVIF can do
- Small files. AVIF uses AV1 compression, which is built to keep quality high at small sizes.
- Transparency. Like PNG and WEBP, it supports see-through areas.
- HDR and wide color. It can store High Dynamic Range and Wide Color Gamut images as well as standard ones.
- Image sequences. It can hold several frames, for animation.
AVIF vs WEBP vs JPG
| AVIF | WEBP | JPG | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Made by | Alliance for Open Media | Joint Photographic Experts Group | |
| Transparency | Yes | Yes | No |
| HDR | Yes | No | No |
| Animation | Yes | Yes | No |
| Browser support | All current major browsers | All current major browsers | Everywhere |
| App support | Growing, still patchy | Wide | Everywhere |
Which browsers support AVIF?
According to Can I use, AVIF works in Chrome from version 85, Firefox from 93, Safari from 16.4 and Edge from 121. If an AVIF will not open, updating your browser usually fixes it.
How to open or convert an AVIF file
- Open our AVIF to PNG converter.
- Drag your .avif files onto the box, or click to choose them.
- Download each PNG, or use Download all as PNG.
The conversion happens in your browser, so nothing is uploaded. Your browser needs to support AVIF for it to work, which current versions of Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari do.
Should you use AVIF on your own site?
AVIF is a good choice for photos on websites where small files matter. Keep a fallback such as WEBP or JPG for older browsers and apps, and keep your original files for editing, since many desktop editors still have limited AVIF support.
Frequently asked questions
Is AVIF better than WEBP?
AVIF often makes smaller files at the same visible quality and adds HDR support. WEBP has wider support in apps and is faster to create. Many sites serve AVIF with WEBP or JPG as a fallback.
Can Windows open AVIF files?
Any current browser on Windows can open an AVIF file. Some photo apps need an extra add-on, and some older editors cannot open it at all.
Why is my PNG bigger than the AVIF?
AVIF removes detail to keep files small, while PNG stores every pixel it is given. Converting cannot bring back lost detail.
Does an animated AVIF stay animated after converting to PNG?
No. You get a still image of the first frame.
