What is AVIF?
AVIF (AV1 Image File Format) is a modern image format based on the AV1 video codec. Developed by the Alliance for Open Media, AVIF offers exceptional compression efficiency while maintaining high image quality.
Key Benefits of AVIF
- 50% smaller than JPEG at equivalent quality
- 20% smaller than WebP
- Supports HDR and wide color gamut
- Handles both photos and graphics well
- Royalty-free and open standard
How AVIF Works
AVIF uses advanced compression techniques borrowed from video encoding:
- Intra-frame prediction: Predicts pixel values based on neighboring pixels
- Transform coding: Converts image data to frequency domain for efficient compression
- Entropy coding: Uses sophisticated algorithms to minimize file size
AVIF vs Other Formats
| Format | Compression | Quality | Browser Support |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPEG | Good | Good | Universal |
| WebP | Better | Better | Excellent |
| AVIF | Best | Best | Good (growing) |
When to Use AVIF
AVIF is ideal for:
- Web images where bandwidth matters
- Photo archives to save storage
- Cloud backup to reduce costs
- Any scenario where quality and size both matter