AVIF vs WebP
AVIF and WebP are both modern web image formats that beat JPG and PNG on size. AVIF, based on the AV1 video codec, usually compresses better and supports HDR and wide color gamut. WebP is older, encodes faster, and has slightly broader support.
Use AVIF when you want the absolute smallest files and best quality, especially for HDR or wide-gamut photos, and your audience uses modern browsers. Use WebP when you want fast encoding and the widest modern-browser support with a simpler pipeline.
AVIF vs WebP: side-by-side comparison
| Attribute | AVIF | WebP |
|---|---|---|
| Based on | AV1 video codec | VP8 video codec |
| Compression efficiency | Higher (often 20%+ over WebP) | High (beats JPG/PNG) |
| HDR / wide gamut | Yes (10/12-bit) | No (8-bit) |
| Encode speed | Slower | Faster |
| Browser support | All current major browsers | All modern browsers (slightly wider) |
| Transparency & animation | Yes | Yes |
What is AVIF and what is WebP?
AVIF
AVIF (AV1 Image File Format) packages keyframes from the royalty-free AV1 video codec. It delivers excellent compression, supports 10- and 12-bit color for HDR and wide gamut, and handles transparency and animation. Its main drawback is slower, more CPU-intensive encoding.
WebP
WebP uses VP8-based compression and has been supported across browsers for longer. It encodes quickly, has mature tooling, and produces small files, though it is limited to 8-bit color and is usually a little less efficient than AVIF.
When to use which
Choose AVIF
Choose AVIF for image-heavy sites where bandwidth is critical, or for photos that benefit from HDR and wide color, provided you can absorb slower encode times.
Choose WebP
Choose WebP when you want a faster, well-supported pipeline with broad tooling and good-enough compression, especially if encode speed matters at scale.
Convert between these formats
Use our free, browser-based converters: