What is an AVIF image and when should you use it?
AVIF files are showing up in downloads and website images, and many programs still cannot open them. This guide explains what AVIF is, what it does well, which devices support it and what to do when you need a JPG or PNG instead.
What AVIF is
AVIF stands for AV1 Image File Format. It stores a still picture using the AV1 video codec, which was developed by the Alliance for Open Media and is free of royalty fees. The format was finalized around 2019 and is built for the web, where smaller images mean faster pages.
An AVIF file can use lossy or lossless compression, can have a transparent background, and can hold more color information than a standard JPG, including high dynamic range images.
Why people use it
- Files are often noticeably smaller than JPG or WebP at a similar visual quality, which saves bandwidth.
- Transparency is supported, so one format can replace both JPG and PNG for many web images.
- Wider color range and higher bit depth are possible for photographs that need them.
Where AVIF works and where it does not
Current versions of Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari display AVIF, with Safari adding support in version 16. Recent phones and operating systems can usually open it too.
The weak spots are older software. Many photo editors, office programs, upload forms and email clients still reject AVIF, and creating an AVIF is slower than saving a JPG, so it is less common outside the web.
When to convert AVIF to JPG or PNG
- Choose JPG when you need a small file that every device and website accepts.
- Choose PNG when you need a lossless copy for editing or a transparent background in software that does not read AVIF.
- Keep the AVIF when the picture is only for your own website and your visitors use current browsers.
How to convert it safely
AVIF to JPG and AVIF to PNG run in your browser, so the picture is not uploaded. They rely on your browser to read the AVIF, which current browsers can do. Expect the JPG or PNG to be larger than the AVIF, because AVIF compresses very efficiently, and set a background color if the AVIF has transparent areas and you convert to JPG.
Frequently asked questions
Is AVIF better than JPG?
For file size and features, usually yes. For compatibility, no, because JPG opens almost everywhere and AVIF does not.
Is AVIF better than WebP?
AVIF often compresses better, while WebP is supported a little more widely and is faster to create. The best choice depends on your audience and tools.
Can I open AVIF files on Windows?
Current browsers open them. For desktop programs you may need an extension or an updated app, and converting to JPG or PNG avoids the problem.
Try the converters
- AVIF to JPG ConverterAdd AVIF images to get JPG files that open in any app.
- AVIF to PNG ConverterChoose AVIF images to save them as PNG.
- JPG to WebP ConverterDrop JPG photos here to create WebP versions.
Last reviewed October 2026. Steps on other systems can change between versions, so check the menu names on your own device. Convert In Place is not affiliated with Apple, Google, Microsoft or Adobe.