What is the AVIF format?

AVIF is the next-generation image format built on the AV1 video codec, developed by the Alliance for Open Media — the industry group behind Netflix, Google, and Apple. It represents the biggest leap in image compression in decades, routinely producing files up to 50 percent smaller than JPEG and noticeably smaller than WebP at the same visual quality. AVIF is a true modern format: it supports high dynamic range (HDR), wide color gamuts, 10- and 12-bit color depth, transparency, and even animation.

When should you use AVIF?

AVIF is the ideal choice when you want the absolute smallest file sizes without sacrificing quality — for example, photography portfolios, image-heavy websites, and e-commerce catalogs where every kilobyte affects loading speed. It is also excellent for archiving photos, since its superior compression preserves more detail per megabyte than any older format. All major browsers now support AVIF, so it is ready for mainstream use.

Key benefits of converting to AVIF

The headline advantage is unmatched efficiency: AVIF delivers the best quality-to-size ratio of any common image format, which means faster websites, lower bandwidth bills, and happier mobile visitors. Its support for HDR and wide color makes photos look richer and more lifelike on modern displays. And because it handles transparency and animation too, AVIF can replace JPEG, PNG, and GIF in many workflows with a single superior format.

How to convert your images to AVIF

Converting to AVIF with FlowTool is quick and free. Click Browse Files or drag up to 10 images into the upload area, then press Convert. The conversion runs right in your browser, and your ultra-efficient AVIF files are ready to download in seconds — no signup, no watermark, no software to install.

Tips for the best results

Start from the highest-quality originals available to let AVIF's advanced compression shine. For critical archives, keep a lossless master copy in PNG or TIFF, and use AVIF as your delivery format for the web. If you serve images to a very broad audience, you can offer AVIF with a JPEG fallback — but for most modern visitors, AVIF alone will look stunning and load in a flash.