AVIF Format Explained: Complete Guide 2024
AVIF is the newest image format promising superior compression and quality. Discover what AVIF is, how it compares to existing formats, and whether you should start using it today.
What is AVIF?
AVIF (AV1 Image File Format) is a next-generation image format based on the AV1 video codec. Developed by the Alliance for Open Media, AVIF offers superior compression efficiency compared to JPG, PNG, and even WebP.
Key AVIF Features
Compression Benefits
- • Up to 50% smaller than JPG
- • 20-30% smaller than WebP
- • Better quality at same file size
- • Advanced AV1 codec technology
Technical Features
- • Supports transparency (alpha channel)
- • Wide color gamut support
- • High dynamic range (HDR)
- • Animation support
AVIF Browser Support Status
Current Support (2024)
Full AVIF Support
- • Chrome: Version 85+ (2020)
- • Edge: Version 121+ (2024)
- • Opera: Version 71+ (2020)
- • Android Chrome: Version 85+
Limited/No Support
- • Safari: No support yet
- • Firefox: Limited support (behind flag)
- • iOS Safari: No support
- • Internet Explorer: No support
Current Coverage: Approximately 70% of global users can view AVIF images as of 2024. This is growing but still requires fallback images.
AVIF vs Other Formats: File Size Showdown
Same Image, Different Formats
Real-world impact: AVIF can reduce bandwidth usage by up to 60% compared to JPG while maintaining or improving visual quality.
AVIF Pros and Cons
✓AVIF Advantages
- •Superior compression: Significantly smaller files than JPG/WebP
- •Better quality: Less compression artifacts at same file size
- •Modern features: HDR, wide color gamut, transparency
- •Open standard: Royalty-free, not controlled by single company
- •Future-proof: Built for next-generation web
✗AVIF Limitations
- •Limited browser support: Safari and iOS don't support AVIF yet
- •Slow encoding: Takes longer to create AVIF files
- •CPU intensive: Requires more processing power to decode
- •Software support: Limited editing tool support
- •Requires fallbacks: Must provide JPG/WebP alternatives
When Should You Use AVIF?
Good Use Cases for AVIF
- • High-traffic websites needing bandwidth savings
- • Progressive web applications (PWAs)
- • E-commerce product images
- • Photography portfolios
- • Content delivery networks (CDNs)
- • Mobile-first applications
- • Image-heavy blogs and magazines
- • Social media platforms
- • Gaming websites
- • Modern web applications
Avoid AVIF When
- • Supporting legacy browsers is critical
- • Email marketing campaigns
- • Simple websites with basic requirements
- • Limited development resources
- • Client specifically requires JPG/PNG
- • Print-focused workflows
- • Quick prototypes or simple sites
- • Older content management systems
How to Implement AVIF
HTML Picture Element (Recommended)
Use the HTML picture element to provide AVIF with fallbacks:
<picture>
<source srcset="image.avif" type="image/avif">
<source srcset="image.webp" type="image/webp">
<img src="image.jpg" alt="Description">
</picture>This provides AVIF to supporting browsers, WebP as a middle ground, and JPG as the final fallback.
Server-Side Detection
Automatically serve the best format based on browser capabilities:
- • Check Accept header for image/avif support
- • Use CDN services that automatically convert formats
- • Implement server-side logic to choose optimal format
- • Consider services like Cloudflare Image Optimization
Converting to/from AVIF
The Future of AVIF
AVIF represents the future of web images, but adoption is still growing. Here's what to expect:
Growing Browser Support
Safari support is the missing piece. Once Apple adds AVIF support to Safari and iOS, adoption will accelerate rapidly.
Prediction: AVIF will likely reach 90%+ browser support by 2025-2026.
Industry Adoption
Major platforms are already implementing AVIF support:
- • Netflix uses AVIF for image optimization
- • YouTube serves AVIF thumbnails to supported browsers
- • CDN providers are adding automatic AVIF conversion
- • Social media platforms are testing AVIF implementation
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I start using AVIF on my website now?
Yes, but with proper fallbacks. Use AVIF as the first choice in a picture element, with WebP and JPG as fallbacks. This gives you the benefits of AVIF for supported browsers while maintaining compatibility.
How much bandwidth can AVIF save?
AVIF typically reduces bandwidth usage by 50-60% compared to JPG and 20-30% compared to WebP, while maintaining or improving image quality. For high-traffic sites, this translates to significant cost savings.
Can I edit AVIF files in Photoshop?
Adobe Photoshop doesn't natively support AVIF yet, but support is expected in future versions. Currently, you'll need to convert AVIF to JPG or PNG for editing, then convert back if needed.
Is AVIF better than WebP?
Yes, AVIF generally provides better compression and quality than WebP. However, WebP has much better browser support currently. The ideal approach is to use both: AVIF for cutting-edge browsers, WebP as a middle ground, and JPG as the final fallback.
Ready to Try AVIF?
Experiment with AVIF format to see the compression benefits for yourself. Convert your images and compare the results.