A .avif file is a modern image format that stores photos and graphics in a smaller file size than .jpg or .png, while keeping the same visual quality
.avif stands for AV1 Image File Format. It's a way of compressing and storing image data — similar to how .jpg, .png, and .gif work, but newer. The main practical difference is that .avif files take up less storage space on your device or in the cloud, which means faster uploads, faster downloads, and less bandwidth used when you're viewing images online.
You probably haven't seen many .avif files yet because the format is still relatively new. Most cameras, phones, and older software don't create or display them. But major tech companies — Google, Apple, Microsoft, and Mozilla — have all added support for .avif in their products over the last few years, so you're likely to encounter them more often going forward.
Key Takeaways
- .avif is a newer image format that compresses files more efficiently than .jpg, meaning the same photo takes up less space.
- Modern web browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge can display .avif files, but older browsers and some software cannot.
- Your phone or camera probably doesn't create .avif files by default yet, though some newer Android devices and iPhones can if you enable the right settings.
- You can convert .jpg or .png files to .avif using free online tools or desktop software if you want to save storage space.
How .avif compares to .jpg, .png, and other image formats
.jpg has been the standard for photographs since the 1990s. It compresses images by throwing away some visual information that human eyes typically don't notice, which makes files small but can create visible artifacts (blurry edges, color banding) if compressed too much. A typical .jpg photo might be 2 to 5 megabytes.
.png is lossless, meaning it keeps all the original image data, so quality never degrades — but file sizes are much larger, often 10 to 20 megabytes for the same photo. .png is better for graphics, logos, and images where you need perfect clarity.
.avif uses a newer compression method called AV1 that achieves quality similar to .jpg at file sizes closer to half the size. The same photo that is 3 megabytes as a .jpg might be 1 to 1.5 megabytes as .avif. This matters most for websites and apps that serve millions of images, where smaller files mean faster loading and lower server costs. For a single photo on your phone, the difference is less noticeable.
Other newer formats exist too — .webp (created by Google) is also smaller than .jpg and has been around longer than .avif, so it's more widely supported. .heic (used by Apple devices) is another modern format. None of these have replaced .jpg yet because compatibility is still the limiting factor.
Which devices and software can open .avif files
All major web browsers now support .avif: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge can display .avif images on websites. If you're browsing the web, you'll see .avif files without doing anything — you won't know the difference because the image just appears like any other photo.
On phones and computers, support is more mixed. Windows 11 can open .avif files in the built-in Photos app. macOS Ventura and later (released in 2022) support .avif. Android 12 and later support .avif, though some older Android phones may not. iPhones running iOS 16 and later can view .avif files.
If you have an older device or older operating system, you may not be able to open a .avif file directly. In that case, you would need to convert it to .jpg or .png first using an online converter or desktop software. Common free tools include CloudConvert, Convertio, and XnConvert (desktop).
When your phone or camera might create .avif files
Most cameras and phones still create .jpg or .heic files by default. However, some newer devices have started offering .avif as an option. Google Pixel phones (Pixel 8 and later) can save photos as .avif if you enable it in settings. Some newer iPhones may support .avif export in future updates, though Apple has historically favored .heic for its own devices.
If you want to convert existing photos to .avif to save storage space, you have several options. Online converters like CloudConvert or Convertio let you upload a .jpg or .png file and download it as .avif without installing anything. Desktop software like XnConvert (free) or Adobe Lightroom (paid) can batch-convert many files at once, which is useful if you have hundreds of photos.
The trade-off is time: converting files takes processing power, and for a handful of photos, the storage savings may not be worth the effort. But if you're managing thousands of photos in cloud storage or on a server, converting to .avif can meaningfully reduce your storage costs.
Why websites are starting to use .avif
Website owners care about .avif because smaller image files mean faster page load times. A news site with hundreds of photos, or an e-commerce site showing product images, can reduce bandwidth costs significantly by serving .avif instead of .jpg. Faster pages also rank better in search results, which is another incentive.
Most modern websites don't serve only .avif — they serve multiple formats and let your browser pick the best one. A website might offer the same image as .avif, .webp, and .jpg, and your browser automatically downloads whichever format it supports. You never see this happening; it's invisible to you.
This is why you might start seeing .avif files more often without realizing it. You're already viewing them on many websites; you just don't notice because the image displays normally in your browser.
How to tell if a file is .avif and what to do with it
The file extension tells you the format. A .avif file will have ".avif" at the end of its name, just like "photo.jpg" or "image.png". If you're unsure what format a file is, right-click it, select "Properties" (Windows) or "Get Info" (Mac), and look for the file type listed there.
If someone sends you a .avif file and you can't open it, the simplest solution is to ask them to convert it to .jpg or .png. If you want to convert it yourself, use a free online tool like CloudConvert or Convertio — upload the .avif file and download it as .jpg or .png. The process takes less than a minute.
If you're storing your own photos and want to save space, converting to .avif makes sense only if you have a large collection and your device supports viewing .avif files. For most people, .jpg remains the practical choice because it works everywhere and file sizes are already small enough for typical use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I open a .avif file on my older computer or phone?
It depends on your device and software. If your browser is up to date, you can view .avif files on websites. For files stored on your device, older computers and phones may not have built-in support. The easiest fix is to convert the .avif file to .jpg using a free online tool like CloudConvert.
Is .avif better than .jpg for all photos?
.avif is better for storage and bandwidth because files are smaller, but the visual difference is usually invisible to human eyes. For personal photos, .jpg is fine and more compatible. .avif matters most for websites serving millions of images or for people managing very large photo libraries.
Will .avif replace .jpg?
.avif is newer and more efficient, but .jpg has been the standard for 30 years and works on every device. A complete replacement would take many more years. For now, both formats will coexist, with .avif becoming more common on websites and newer devices.
How do I convert my photos to .avif?
Use a free online converter like CloudConvert or Convertio: upload your .jpg or .png file, select .avif as the output format, and download the result. For converting many files at once, desktop software like XnConvert (free) is faster.
Does converting to .avif reduce image quality?
.avif uses compression similar to .jpg, so some quality loss is possible if you compress heavily. However, at typical compression settings, the difference is not visible to most people. You can adjust the quality level when converting to balance file size against visual clarity.