Skip to content
All guides
AVIF vs WEBP

AVIF vs WEBP

AVIF usually produces the smallest file of any image format at the same quality, especially for photos, but it is slower to encode and slightly less widely supported. WebP is the practical middle ground: small, fast and supported everywhere modern.

By How we write these

AV1 Image File Format

Choose AVIF when

  • Every kilobyte counts, such as hero images
  • Photos with smooth gradients or HDR
  • Your audience uses current browsers
More about AVIF

WebP

Choose WEBP when

  • You convert many images and speed matters
  • You need broad support in apps as well as browsers
  • Animated images
More about WEBP

Side by side

AVIF and WEBP compared
Property AVIF WEBP
Full name AV1 Image File Format WebP
Compression Lossy or lossless Lossy or lossless
Transparency Yes Yes
Animation Yes Yes
Typical size Often around half the size of the equivalent JPG Typically 25–35% smaller than the same JPG
Support Current browsers and apps Current browsers and apps
Opens on Current Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari, but few editors, chat apps or upload forms Every current browser, but plenty of desktop apps, print shops and upload forms still refuse it
Best for The smallest possible photos on a modern website Images on websites, where smaller files load faster
Introduced 2019 2010

Watch out with AVIF

AVIF’s savings are real, but encoding is slow, so a batch that takes seconds as JPG can take minutes as AVIF.

Watch out with WEBP

Images saved from websites arrive as WEBP even when the page looked like it showed a JPG, and then a document editor or upload form refuses them.

Need to switch?

Convert in your browser in a few seconds. Nothing is uploaded, and there is no size limit.

Questions

Is AVIF better than WEBP?

AVIF usually produces the smallest file of any image format at the same quality, especially for photos, but it is slower to encode and slightly less widely supported. WebP is the practical middle ground: small, fast and supported everywhere modern.

Which is smaller, AVIF or WEBP?

AVIF is usually smaller for the same content. AVIF: Often around half the size of the equivalent JPG. WEBP: Typically 25–35% smaller than the same JPG.

How do I convert AVIF to WEBP?

Use the free AVIF to WEBP converter. It runs in your browser, so the file is never uploaded.

How do I convert WEBP to AVIF?

Use the free WEBP to AVIF converter. It works the same way, entirely on your device.