What Is AVIF? The Next Step in Image Compression

AVIF is a modern image format based on the AV1 video codec. It can create very small image files with strong visual quality, although support is still growing across devices and applications.

Why Was AVIF Created?

AVIF was created to provide even more efficient compression than WebP, especially for certain types of images and use cases. It represents the latest generation of image compression technology.

AVIF File Size

AVIF images can be significantly smaller than JPG, PNG, or WebP images of the same photo. This can reduce page weight and improve loading speed on bandwidth-constrained networks.

AVIF vs JPG

AVIF typically creates much smaller files than JPG while maintaining high visual quality. However, JPG has universal support, while AVIF support is still growing.

AVIF vs WebP

AVIF can be more efficient than WebP in some situations, but WebP remains practical for most web use cases because it has broader support. Choose based on your target audience and device support.

AVIF and Website Performance

Using AVIF can reduce page weight, which improves page speed and Core Web Vitals. However, consider whether your users' browsers support AVIF, or offer a JPG or WebP fallback.

AVIF Browser Support

Chrome and Firefox support AVIF, but Safari and older browsers may not. Use a fallback format in your HTML to ensure images display across all browsers.

When to Use AVIF

Use AVIF when your audience uses modern browsers and you want the smallest possible file sizes. For broad compatibility, JPG or WebP is still a practical choice.

Final Thoughts

AVIF is an emerging format that offers strong compression, but its growth in adoption is still happening. For most websites, WebP remains the practical choice for modern image delivery.