What Is AVIF? The Next-Gen Image Format Explained

What Is AVIF?

AVIF (AV1 Image File Format) is a modern image format developed by the Alliance for Open Media. It uses the AV1 video codec to compress still images — the same technology behind Netflix and YouTube's next-generation video streaming. The result: dramatically smaller file sizes with noticeably better quality.

AVIF vs WebP vs JPEG: How Do They Compare?

In real-world tests, an AVIF image that looks identical to a JPEG is typically 40–50% smaller. That means faster page loads, lower bandwidth costs, and a better experience for mobile users.

Why Is AVIF Becoming the Standard?

In 2026, all major browsers — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge — support AVIF. Google recommends it for web performance, and it's increasingly the default format for images on modern CDNs and image services. If you're building a performance-focused website or working with high-resolution images, AVIF is the format to use.

Key advantages of AVIF:

• HDR and wide color gamut support — captures more colors than JPEG
• Better fine detail — less ringing and banding artifacts
• Lossless and lossy modes — flexibility for any use case
• Alpha transparency — like PNG and WebP, but smaller

How to Use AVIF Files with BigImg

BigImg now fully supports AVIF images. You can upload AVIF files directly and use all three AI tools:

• AI Image Upscaler — upscale AVIF images up to 4x (free) or 16x (Pro) without losing quality
• Background Remover — remove backgrounds from AVIF images, output as transparent PNG
• Watermark Remover — erase watermarks from AVIF photos with AI inpainting

No conversion needed — just drag and drop your AVIF file. BigImg handles everything on the server side.

How to Convert Images to AVIF

If you want to convert your existing JPEGs or PNGs to AVIF:

• Squoosh (squoosh.app) — free browser-based converter by Google
• Sharp — Node.js library for server-side conversion
• ImageMagick — command-line tool with AVIF support
• macOS Preview — export as AVIF directly from the File menu

Should You Use AVIF for Your Website?

Yes — if your users are on modern browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari 16+, Edge). For maximum compatibility, use the <picture> HTML element to serve AVIF with a WebP or JPEG fallback:

<picture>
  <source srcset="image.avif" type="image/avif" />
  <source srcset="image.webp" type="image/webp" />
  <img src="image.jpg" alt="description" />
</picture>

This approach delivers the best format each browser supports, with automatic fallback for older browsers.