AVIF vs JPEG
JPEG makes a compact photographic delivery file, but ordinary JPEG discards detail and has no alpha. Keep the richer source for editing and use JPEG when the receiving workflow expects an opaque photo.
Image format
AVIF
AV1-compressed pictures in an image container, with optional alpha, sequences and high-dynamic-range colour.
Explore the format
Convert AVIF to
Choose a target format for your AVIF images.
JPEGJPEGAVIF → JPEGPNGPNGAVIF → PNGWebPWebPAVIF → WebPHEICHEICAVIF → HEICHEIFHEIFAVIF → HEIFGIFGIFAVIF → GIFWith caveat
All 21 conversions
Marked paths may need steps such as flattening, rasterization, tone mapping or animation loss.
Convert to AVIF
Choose a source format to convert to AVIF.
JPEGJPEGJPEG → AVIFPNGPNGPNG → AVIFWebPWebPWebP → AVIFHEICHEICHEIC → AVIFHEIFHEIFHEIF → AVIFGIFGIFGIF → AVIFWith caveat
All 36 conversions
TIFFTIFFTIFF → AVIFBMPBMPBMP → AVIFSVGSVGSVG → AVIFICOICOICO → AVIFJPEG XLJPEG XLJPEG XL → AVIFJPEG 2000JPEG 2000JPEG 2000 → AVIFQOIQOIQOI → AVIFTGATGATGA → AVIFPCXPCXPCX → AVIFPPMPPMPPM → AVIFPGMPGMPGM → AVIFPBMPBMPBM → AVIFPAMPAMPAM → AVIFHDRHDRHDR → AVIFWith caveatEXREXREXR → AVIFWith caveatPSDPSDPSD → AVIFWith caveatPDFPDFPDF → AVIFWith caveatDNGDNGDNG → AVIFCanon CR2Canon CR2Canon CR2 → AVIFCanon CR3Canon CR3Canon CR3 → AVIFCanon CRWCanon CRWCanon CRW → AVIFNikon NEFNikon NEFNikon NEF → AVIFSony ARWSony ARWSony ARW → AVIFFujifilm RAFFujifilm RAFFujifilm RAF → AVIFOlympus ORFOlympus ORFOlympus ORF → AVIFPanasonic RW2Panasonic RW2Panasonic RW2 → AVIFPentax PEFPentax PEFPentax PEF → AVIFSigma X3FSigma X3FSigma X3F → AVIFKodak RAWKodak RAWKodak RAW → AVIFHasselblad 3FRHasselblad 3FRHasselblad 3FR → AVIF
Marked paths may need steps such as flattening, rasterization, tone mapping or animation loss.
About AVIF
AV1 Image File Format
AVIF binds AV1 image coding to the HEIF image-container framework. The Alliance for Open Media specifies how AV1 bitstreams, image items and image sequences are represented. It addresses compact photographic delivery while retaining features that ordinary JPEG files cannot represent, including alpha and high-bit-depth colour.
AV1 supports 8-, 10- and 12-bit coding, with different chroma subsampling options and a lossless mode. Alpha is carried as an auxiliary image, and colour properties describe how samples should be interpreted. Choosing a high quality number does not by itself prove pixel-exact RGB preservation after colour conversion.
Use AVIF for final image delivery when the decoder, colour pipeline and encoding cost fit the workflow. HDR and sequences are optional, not implied by the filename. Keep a working original for editing, and test the chosen encoder on both detailed photographs and sharp graphical edges before adopting settings.
Key capabilities
AVIF can use lossy or lossless AV1 coding. Chroma subsampling, RGB↔YUV conversion and reduced bit depth can change source values even when the AV1 coding stage is lossless.
History of AVIF
AVIF applies video-codec development to still images through a defined container binding, rather than inventing a new filename for JPEG.
AVIF compared
Different formats, different trade-offs. Choose for the image and the workflow.
AVIF vs WebP
WebP combines lossy or lossless 8-bit image coding with alpha and animation. It is a web delivery option when those features matter; high-precision samples and editable source structures need another working format.
AVIF vs HEIC
HEIC stores HEVC-coded images in HEIF and can retain auxiliary images and capture metadata. It fits compatible camera and device workflows; sharing with software that lacks HEVC image decoding may require a conventional export.
AVIF vs JPEG XL
JPEG XL supports lossless and lossy coding, alpha, animation and HDR. It can also reconstruct eligible JPEG bitstreams after lossless recompression; use it where the receiving tools support JXL rather than assuming universal decoding.
AVIF FAQ
What does this format store?
AVIF binds AV1 image coding to the HEIF image-container framework. The Alliance for Open Media specifies how AV1 bitstreams, image items and image sequences are represented. It addresses compact photographic delivery while retaining features that ordinary JPEG files cannot represent, including alpha and high-bit-depth colour.
How does compression affect quality?
AVIF can use lossy or lossless AV1 coding. Chroma subsampling, RGB↔YUV conversion and reduced bit depth can change source values even when the AV1 coding stage is lossless.
Does every AVIF image contain HDR?
No. HDR depends on the encoded samples and colour properties, plus the display pipeline. An 8-bit SDR AVIF is valid; higher bit depth alone does not prove an HDR image.
What should I check before opening the file?
Check the actual AVIF profile, sequence support and HDR colour handling in the receiving application. A successful SDR still-image decode does not guarantee alpha, animation or correct HDR display.
What changes when I export to another format?
An SDR export of HDR AVIF needs a chosen tone mapping. JPEG removes alpha; a still export removes sequence timing. A lossless target retains decoded output, not detail discarded by earlier AV1 coding.
When is this format useful?
Use AVIF for final image delivery when the decoder, colour pipeline and encoding cost fit the workflow. HDR and sequences are optional, not implied by the filename. Keep a working original for editing, and test the chosen encoder on both detailed photographs and sharp graphical edges before adopting settings.