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AVIF

AVIF (.avif) is a next-generation image format based on the AV1 video codec. It typically produces smaller files than JPEG or WebP at the same quality and supports transparency, HDR, and wide color — making it one of the most space-efficient formats available.

Files & formatsGeneral

AVIF

Also known as: avif file, avif vs webp, av1 image format

AVIF (.avif) is a next-generation image format based on the AV1 video codec. It typically produces smaller files than JPEG or WebP at the same quality and supports transparency, HDR, and wide color — making it one of the most space-efficient formats available.

  • Based on the AV1 video codec
  • Smaller than JPEG or WebP at the same quality
  • Supports transparency, HDR, and wide color

Why AVIF is so efficient

AVIF borrows the compression of the modern AV1 video codec and applies it to still images. The result is strong detail retention at very small file sizes, often beating WebP and well ahead of JPEG at matching quality.

It also supports an alpha channel for transparency, HDR, and wide color gamut, so it can replace both photographic and graphic formats while saving space.

Trade-offs and support

AVIF compresses slowly compared with older formats, and support is newer: current browsers, Android, and recent Apple and Windows versions handle it, but some older or niche software still cannot. When a tool cannot read AVIF, converting to JPEG or WebP restores compatibility at a larger size.

Related terms

Keep reading the reference.

Files & formatsWebPWebP (.webp) is a modern Google image format that supports both lossy and lossless compression, transparency, and animation in one file. It produces noticeably smaller files than JPEG or PNG at similar quality, so it is widely used on the web and increasingly on Android.GeneralAndroidFiles & formatsJPEGJPEG (.jpg) is the most widely supported photo format. It uses lossy compression to shrink photographs dramatically, trading a small amount of detail for much smaller files. It has no transparency and is larger than newer formats like HEIC or WebP at the same quality.GeneralStorage conceptsVideo codec (H.264 vs H.265/HEVC)A video codec is the method used to compress and decompress video. H.265 (HEVC) is the newer successor to H.264 (AVC) and encodes the same quality in noticeably less space, which is why modern phones record in HEVC to keep video files smaller.GeneralPhotos & videoHDR photoAn HDR (high dynamic range) photo blends several exposures to keep detail in both bright and dark areas of a scene. Because the camera may save extra data or multiple frames, HDR images can be somewhat larger than a single standard shot.iOSAndroid

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