Images
What is an AVIF file?
Updated Jul 2026
AVIF (AV1 Image File Format) is a modern image format built on the same compression as AV1 video. It shrinks photos far more than JPG while keeping similar or better quality, and it supports transparency. Its main limitation is that older browsers, apps, and devices still can't open it.
- Extension
- .avif
- Type
- Images
- Typically
- Next-gen web images
- Compression
- Lossy
- Transparency
- Supported
Why AVIF exists
AVIF grew out of the AV1 video codec, developed by a group of browser makers and tech companies looking for a royalty-free alternative to formats like HEIC. Because it borrows video compression tricks, it can squeeze a photo down to a fraction of its JPG size without an obvious drop in quality.
In practice, that makes AVIF appealing for websites: smaller images load faster and use less bandwidth. It also supports transparency and can hold a wider range of colors than JPG, so it works for graphics as well as photos.
The trouble is support. Current browsers and recent phones handle AVIF fine, but plenty of older software, some editing tools, and various apps still don't recognize it. People usually run into AVIF when a website serves it automatically, or when they save one and then can't open, edit, or share it somewhere that expects a JPG or PNG.
The trade-offs
Strengths
- Much smaller files than JPG at similar or better quality
- Supports transparency, unlike JPG
- Handles a wider color range than older formats
- Good fit for web images that need to load fast
Watch-outs
- Not supported by many older devices and applications
- Some editing and design tools still can't open it directly
- Encoding can be slower than older, simpler formats
- Often needs converting before you can edit or share it widely
A note on privacy
AVIF files can carry EXIF metadata, including camera details and, in some cases, location data, just like other photo formats. Uploading one to an online converter sends that file, and whatever metadata it holds, to someone else's server. Converting it on your own computer keeps the image and its metadata on your machine the whole time.
Convert an AVIF file
- Convert AVIF to JPG
- Convert AVIF to PNG
- Convert AVIF to WebP
- Convert AVIF to HEIC
- Convert AVIF to HEIF
- Convert AVIF to GIF
- Convert AVIF to TIFF
- Convert AVIF to BMP
Questions
How do I open an AVIF file?
Current versions of most major browsers and recent phones open AVIF directly. On an older device or in software that doesn't recognize it, you'll usually need to convert it to JPG or PNG first.
Is AVIF better than JPG?
For file size and color range, generally yes: AVIF fits more into a smaller file. For compatibility, JPG still wins by a wide margin, since it opens almost everywhere and AVIF still doesn't.
Is AVIF better than HEIC?
They're similar in efficiency and both beat JPG on file size. AVIF is more widely adopted across browsers and Android devices, while HEIC is tied more closely to Apple's ecosystem.
Why do some websites give me AVIF images?
Sites use AVIF to cut load times and save bandwidth, since the format compresses photos so well. If you save one of those images, it downloads as an AVIF file even though you didn't choose the format.
Can I convert AVIF without uploading it?
Yes. A desktop app like Morphjet converts AVIF to JPG or PNG on your own computer, so the file and any metadata it carries never leave your device.
Morphjet opens and converts AVIF and 1,800+ other formats, all on your own computer. Launching this July.