You downloaded an image, it ended in .avif, and your usual app refused to open it. AVIF is a newer, extremely efficient format — great for the web, occasionally annoying everywhere else. Here is what it is and how to deal with it.
What is AVIF?
AVIF (AV1 Image File Format) is based on the AV1 video codec. It offers some of the best compression available: an AVIF file is often smaller than JPG and WebP at the same quality, and it also supports transparency and HDR. That is why modern websites increasingly serve AVIF.
Why AVIF files are so small
AV1 was designed to stream 4K video efficiently. AVIF borrows that advanced compression for still images, squeezing out detail the eye barely notices far more aggressively than older formats. The result is tiny files with surprisingly good quality.
The catch: support is still catching up
Current versions of Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari can display AVIF, but:
- Many desktop apps, older phones and some editors still cannot open
.avif. - Some upload forms and printers reject it.
- Colleagues on older software may not see it at all.
That is why “how to open an AVIF” is such a common question — the file is fine, your software just does not speak AVIF yet.
How to open or convert an AVIF
The simplest fix is to convert it to a universally supported format. These tools run entirely in your browser — your image is never uploaded:
- AVIF to JPG — best for photos and for sharing anywhere.
- AVIF to PNG — when you need lossless quality or transparency.
- AVIF to WebP — stay modern and small, with wider support than AVIF.
Should you use AVIF yourself?
If you run a website and want the smallest images, AVIF is excellent — pair it with a JPG or WebP fallback for older clients. For files you hand to other people, convert to JPG or PNG so they open everywhere.