How to use it
- Add JPG or PNG files. The AVIF encoder (about 2.5 MB) downloads the first time you use it.
- Start with quality 55. AVIF numbers run lower than JPG for the same look.
- Compare the size saving, then download.
What to expect
AVIF is slow to encode. Where a JPG is written in a fraction of a second, a large photo can take several seconds to become an AVIF, longer on a phone. That is the cost of its efficiency, and it is only paid once, when you convert. Decoding for your visitors is quick.
The payoff is size. At a similar visual quality, AVIF photos are commonly around half the size of a JPG and noticeably smaller than WebP. On image-heavy pages, that can make a visible difference to load time on mobile connections.
About the quality scale
AVIF quality numbers are not comparable with JPG. A setting of 50 to 60 here tends to look similar to a JPG at around 85. Unlike JPG, AVIF does not go blocky at low settings; it goes smooth, a bit like a painting, losing fine texture first. Check skin, foliage and fabric when choosing a setting.
Browser support
Current Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari all display AVIF. For older browsers, serve it through a <picture> element with a JPG or WebP fallback, and nobody misses out.
JPG and AVIF compared
| JPG | AVIF | |
|---|---|---|
| First released | 1992 | 2019 |
| Compression | Lossy | Lossy (lossless possible) |
| Transparency | No | Yes |
| Animation or pages | No | Animation |
| Best for | Photos for sharing, email and print | The smallest images for websites |
| Support | Universal | Current browsers; patchy in desktop apps |
Questions people ask
Why does AVIF conversion take so long?
The AV1 encoder searches hard for the most compact way to describe each part of the image. It is thorough by design, and this page runs it on your own device rather than a server.
Is AVIF better than WebP?
For file size, usually yes, often by 20 percent or more. WebP encodes much faster and has a slightly longer track record of support. Many sites offer both.
Can I use AVIF for images with transparency?
Yes. AVIF supports an alpha channel, so PNG cut-outs keep their transparent backgrounds.