Format at a glance
- Full name
- AV1 Image File Format
- File extensions
- .avif
- MIME types
- image/avif
- Category
- Images
- Compression
- Lossless and lossy
- Transparency
- Yes
- Animation
- Yes
- Properties
- Alpha channel, Animation, Image sequences, Color profiles
Suitable tools
What is this format?
AVIF stores one or more AV1-coded images in an ISO Base Media File Format structure. It supports lossy and lossless coding, alpha channels, image sequences and high bit depths.
Real-world compatibility depends on both the AVIF container parser and AV1 image decoder. Current browsers are strong targets, while older desktop applications may not recognize the format.
What is it used for?
- Responsive website photographs
- Images with transparency at compact sizes
- HDR and wide-color-gamut image delivery
- Modern image archives where decoder support is known
Which programs can open it?
- Current Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari versions
- Compatible releases of GIMP and Krita
- ImageMagick builds with AVIF support
- LocalFileLab through its bundled @jsquash/avif decoder and encoder paths
Support across devices and browsers
Browser support is reliable; native application support depends on installed components and app version.
Current Safari supports AVIF; system-app support depends on macOS version.
Current browsers and libavif-enabled applications can open AVIF.
Current browsers support AVIF; gallery support varies by Android and device vendor.
Current Safari supports AVIF; other apps depend on system and app version.
Current major browsers support AVIF, but older versions do not.
Advantages
- Strong compression efficiency for many photographs
- Supports alpha, HDR and higher bit depths
- Supports lossy and lossless coding
Disadvantages
- Encoding can be slower than JPEG or WebP
- Older applications and operating systems may not open it
- Results vary by encoder settings and image content
Comparison with alternatives
AVIF can be smaller for some images; WebP is often faster to encode and has mature compatibility.
AVIF adds transparency and modern color features; JPEG remains the safest legacy choice.
Both are modern still-image formats; browser and application support differ substantially.
LocalFileLab support
Decoded locally with the bundled @jsquash/avif decoder.
Encoded locally with the bundled AVIF encoder when the conversion route is available.
Can be decoded, resized and re-encoded; processing can be CPU-intensive.
A browser-readable preview is generated from decoded pixels.
Metadata preservation is not guaranteed by the current AVIF raster conversion path.
Related formats
Frequently asked questions
Does AVIF support transparency?
Yes. AVIF can store an alpha plane for fully or partially transparent pixels.
Why does AVIF take longer to convert?
AV1-based encoding uses more complex analysis than older formats, especially at high quality or large resolutions.
Is AVIF always smaller than WebP?
No. AVIF is often efficient, but file size and quality depend on image content, encoder and settings.