Compare
HEIF vs AVIF
HEIF is a flexible image-container family, while AVIF follows the AV1 Image File Format specification. Their support varies across cameras, operating systems, browsers, and editing tools.
Which format should you choose?
Keep HEIF when required by a camera or photo workflow; consider AVIF for web delivery after checking target-browser support and image quality.
Good fit for HEIF
Smartphone photos · Efficient image storage
- Saving photos in supported environments
- Balancing file size and quality
Good fit for AVIF
Web image delivery · Optimized photographs · Transparent web images
- Balancing quality and transfer size
- Delivery environments confirmed to support AVIF
Basic information
| Field | HEIF | AVIF |
|---|---|---|
| Extension | .heif, .heic | .avif |
| MIME type | image/heif, image/heic | image/avif |
| Common uses | Smartphone photos · Efficient image storage | Web image delivery · Optimized photographs · Transparent web images |
| How to open | Open it with a supported operating system or photo app, and confirm recipient support before sharing. | Compatible web browsers can display AVIF on a page. For local files, confirm that your operating-system viewer or image editor supports AVIF. |
| Export or convert | Export to JPEG or another compatible format when compatibility matters, then check image quality and metadata. | When converting JPEG or PNG to AVIF, retain the source image and check quality settings and transparency. When converting AVIF to another format, features or metadata unsupported by the output format may not be retained. |
Choose by use case
Saving photos in supported environments
Smartphone photos · Efficient image storage
HEIFBalancing file size and quality
Smartphone photos · Efficient image storage
HEIFBalancing quality and transfer size
Web image delivery · Optimized photographs · Transparent web images
AVIFDelivery environments confirmed to support AVIF
Web image delivery · Optimized photographs · Transparent web images
AVIFKey point 1
HEIF describes a container family and can use different codecs.
More on the differencesKey point 2
AVIF is based on the AV1 Image File Format specification.
More on the differencesMore on the differences
Identify the codec and requirements of the actual file, then test the intended devices and applications. For web use, compare visual quality, file size, and fallback behavior.
- HEIF and AVIF are not interchangeable names for one codec.
- AVIF targets efficient still-image and sequence storage using AV1-related technology.
- Metadata, color handling, and editing behavior should be checked after conversion.
Frequently asked questions
Will every HEIF viewer open AVIF?
No. Support depends on the application, operating system, and codec implementation.