What is AVIF?
AVIF — AVIF (AV1 Image File Format) is a next-generation image format based on the AV1 video codec that delivers superior compression — typically 50% smaller than JPEG — with support for HDR, wide color gamut, and transparency.
AVIF is an image format derived from the AV1 video codec, standardized by the Alliance for Open Media (AOM) in 2019. It uses intra-frame encoding from AV1 to compress still images with significantly higher efficiency than JPEG, WebP, or PNG.
At equivalent perceptual quality, AVIF produces files 50% smaller than JPEG and approximately 20% smaller than WebP. It supports high dynamic range (HDR), 10-bit and 12-bit color depth, wide color gamut (BT.2020), alpha channel transparency, and animation — making it the most feature-complete web image format currently available.
Browser support reached ~90% in 2023: Chrome 85+, Firefox 93+, Safari 16.4+, and Edge 121+ all support AVIF. A key downside is slow encoding speed — AVIF encoding is 10–100× slower than JPEG, making real-time server-side generation expensive without hardware acceleration or a fast codec like libaom at speed 6+. For static assets, the encoding cost is a one-time operation.
AVIF vs WebP: When to Choose Each
AVIF provides better compression than WebP (typically 20% smaller at equivalent quality) and better handles detailed textures and gradients with fewer artifacts. However, AVIF encodes significantly slower and has slightly lower browser compatibility — particularly in older iOS/Safari versions below 16.4. Use AVIF when maximum compression matters and you can absorb the encoding time. Use WebP as a fallback for browsers that do not yet support AVIF.
AVIF HDR and Color Depth Support
AVIF supports 10-bit and 12-bit per channel color depth, compared to JPEG's standard 8-bit. It also supports the BT.2020 wide color gamut and HDR (High Dynamic Range) metadata in HDR10 and PQ/HLG formats. This makes AVIF suitable for HDR photography and next-generation display content — use cases where JPEG, WebP, and PNG cannot deliver the full color range of modern displays.
AVIF Tools on PicsSizer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AVIF supported by all browsers?▾
AVIF is supported by Chrome 85+, Firefox 93+, Safari 16.4+, and Edge 121+. Coverage is around 90% globally as of 2025. Safari before 16.4 and some older Android browsers do not support AVIF — always serve AVIF with a WebP or JPEG fallback via <picture> and <source> elements.
How much smaller is AVIF than JPEG?▾
At equivalent perceptual quality (SSIM), AVIF is typically 50% smaller than JPEG. Savings vary by image type: photographs with complex textures see the largest savings; simple graphics and text may see smaller improvements. WebP is typically 25–34% smaller than JPEG, making AVIF roughly 20% smaller than WebP.
Should I use AVIF or WebP for my website?▾
Use both with a <picture> fallback chain: AVIF first, then WebP, then JPEG/PNG. This gives maximum compression for supported browsers while maintaining compatibility. If your CDN/build system only supports one format, WebP offers better encoding speed and near-universal support, making it the more practical single-format choice today.