AVIF vs WebP: Which Format Should You Use?
The Short Answer
AVIF usually produces smaller files than WebP at the same quality, especially for photos, and supports HDR. WebP encodes much faster and is accepted by more software. On a website, AVIF with a WebP or JPG fallback gives the best result.
AVIF vs WebP Side by Side
| AVIF | WebP | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | AVIF: AV1 Image File Format | WebP: WebP |
| File extension | AVIF: .avif | WebP: .webp |
| How it stores data | AVIF: Lossy or lossless compression (AV1) | WebP: Lossy or lossless compression |
| File size | AVIF: small (lossy) | WebP: small (lossy) |
| Created by | AVIF: Alliance for Open Media, 2019 | WebP: Google, 2010 |
| Best for | AVIF: the smallest possible images on modern websites | WebP: website images, where smaller files mean faster pages |
| Watch out | AVIF: slow to encode, and support outside browsers is still patchy | WebP: older software, some email clients and many upload forms still reject it |
| Opens with | AVIF: current Chrome, Firefox, Safari and Edge; recent Windows and macOS viewers | WebP: all current browsers; recent versions of Windows Photos, Preview, Photoshop and GIMP |
Choose AVIF When
- The smallest possible images on a modern website
- Photos with gradients, HDR or wide colour
Choose WebP When
- Broad compatibility across browsers and tools
- Large numbers of images that must be encoded quickly
- Animated images
Convert Between AVIF and WebP
More About Each Format
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, AVIF or WebP?
AVIF usually produces smaller files than WebP at the same quality, especially for photos, and supports HDR. WebP encodes much faster and is accepted by more software. On a website, AVIF with a WebP or JPG fallback gives the best result.
When should I use AVIF?
The smallest possible images on a modern website. Photos with gradients, HDR or wide colour.
When should I use WebP?
Broad compatibility across browsers and tools. Large numbers of images that must be encoded quickly. Animated images.
What is AVIF?
AVIF uses the AV1 video codec to compress still images, and usually beats both JPG and WebP on file size at the same quality. It supports transparency, HDR and wide colour.
What is WebP?
WebP is a web image format from Google that is typically 25–35 % smaller than JPG at the same visual quality, and it supports transparency and animation. All current browsers display it.
Can I convert between AVIF and WebP?
Yes — free, in batches and without an account. Convert AVIF to WebP, or Convert WebP to AVIF with the converter linked on this page.