What is .avif?

.avif (AV1 Image File Format) is a modern, royalty-free image format based on the AV1 video codec. It offers superior compression efficiency compared to JPEG, PNG, and even WebP, delivering high-quality images at significantly smaller file sizes.

This quick guide explains when to use .avif files, how to open them on any device, and how to share them instantly with FileXhost.

When to use .avif files

You want the absolute smallest file sizes for your website images.
You need support for HDR (High Dynamic Range) and wide color gamut.
You want a modern, royalty-free alternative to HEIC.
You are optimizing web performance and Core Web Vitals.

How to open .avif files

Most modern web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari) now support AVIF natively. If you have an older system or software that doesn't open it, you can upload .avif files to FileXhost to view them instantly or convert them to widely compatible formats like JPG or PNG.

Algorithm details

AVIF uses the AV1 video coding format to store image sequences. It supports both lossy and lossless compression. Key features include support for 10-bit and 12-bit color depths (HDR), 4:2:0, 4:2:2, and 4:4:4 chroma subsampling, and film grain synthesis, which allows for retaining texture details at very low bitrates.

Browser & platform support

Desktop: Chrome (85+), Firefox (93+), Safari (16+), Edge (121+).
Mobile: Android (12+), iOS (16+).
OS: Windows 10/11 (with extension), macOS Ventura+, Linux (depending on viewer).

Format comparison

Feature	Details
File Size	Typically 50% smaller than JPEG and 20-30% smaller than WebP for the same visual quality.
Quality	Superior at low bitrates. Reduces blocky artifacts common in JPEG.
Features	Supports HDR, wide color gamut, transparency, and animation (AVIF Sequence).
Speed	Encoding (saving) can be slower than JPEG/WebP, but decoding (viewing) is fast on modern hardware.

How to create avif files

Design Software: GIMP, Paint.NET, Adobe Illustrator (via plugin).
Converters: Squoosh (by Google), CloudConvert, Ezgif.
CLI: FFmpeg, avifenc (libavif), ImageMagick.
Code: Sharp (Node.js), libavif.

How to convert avif files

FileXhost: Upload AVIF to view or share as a link.
Online tools: Squoosh.app is excellent for converting and comparing AVIF.
CLI: `avifenc input.jpg output.avif`
Desktop: Open in Paint.NET or GIMP and export as JPG/PNG.

Advantages & disadvantages

Advantages

Best-in-class compression efficiency (smallest files)
Royalty-free and open standard
Supports HDR and Wide Color Gamut
Supports transparency and animation
No licensing fees (unlike HEIC)

Disadvantages

Slower encoding speed compared to older formats
Not supported by older browsers (IE, old Safari)
Limited support in some legacy image editors

Tools & software

Viewers

Web Browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari), IrfanView, XnView

Editors

GIMP, Paint.NET, Krita

Converters

Squoosh, FileXhost, CloudConvert, Ezgif

Libraries

libavif, Sharp (Node.js), pillow-avif (Python)

Frequently asked questions

Is AVIF better than WebP?

Generally, yes. AVIF usually produces smaller files than WebP for the same quality and supports features like HDR. However, WebP currently has slightly broader support on very old browser versions.

Why doesn't my Photoshop open AVIF?

Adobe Photoshop has added support for AVIF recently, but older versions or specific configurations might require a plugin to open or save AVIF files.

Can I use AVIF on my website?

Yes! All major modern browsers support it. It's recommended to use the <picture> tag with a fallback to JPEG or WebP for older browsers.

Is AVIF the same as AV1?

AV1 is the video codec. AVIF (AV1 Image File Format) is the container format for storing still images extracted from or compressed using the AV1 codec.

Technical specs

File type: Image
Extension: .avif
MIME type: image/avif
Compression: Lossy and lossless
Max file size on FileXhost: Up to 25 MB per file on the free plan and up to 1 GB on Pro FileXhost accounts.

Upload your .avif file to FileXhost to get a clean, shareable URL in seconds. View the file in a modern browser, protect access with optional settings, and let others download it without any confusing ads or cluttered file pages.

Upload .avif file