The AVIF format
The best compression available in a mainstream image format — at the cost of slow encoding and patchy support outside browsers.
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¿Qué es AVIF?
AVIF is a still-image format built on the AV1 video codec, standardised in 2019. It routinely produces files 30–50% smaller than WebP at the same visual quality, which makes it the most efficient widely available option.
Beyond size it supports things older formats cannot: HDR, wide colour gamuts, 10- and 12-bit depth, and alpha transparency. For photographic content with smooth gradients it is dramatically better than JPEG, which tends to band in exactly those areas.
The costs are real. Encoding is computationally expensive — often an order of magnitude slower than JPEG — and support outside the browser is the weakest of any format here.
Usos habituales
- Performance-critical websites serving large photographs
- HDR and wide-gamut imagery
- Progressive enhancement, served with a WebP or JPEG fallback
Ventajas
- The best compression of any mainstream image format
- HDR, wide colour gamut and high bit depth
- Alpha transparency and animation
- Handles gradients without the banding JPEG produces
Limitaciones
- Slow to encode, which matters for user-generated content pipelines
- Weak support outside browsers — many photo viewers and design tools cannot open it
- Browser encode support is less consistent than decode support
- Not a good archival choice while tooling support remains thin
Compatibilidad con navegadores
Decoding is supported in Chrome, Firefox, Edge and recent Safari. Encoding support in browsers is less consistent, so KaiConvert checks capability before offering AVIF conversion.