AVIF vs WebP in 2026: Which Image Format Should You Use?
If you optimize images for the web in 2026, the real choice is between two formats: WebP (Google, 2010) and AVIF (Alliance for Open Media, 2019). Both beat JPG comfortably. Here is how they compare in practice.
Compression and quality
At equivalent visual quality, AVIF files are typically 20 to 30 percent smaller than WebP, and around half the size of a JPG. AVIF shines on photographic images with smooth gradients, where WebP tends to band. WebP, on the other hand, encodes much faster, which matters if you generate images on the fly.
Browser and tool support
- WebP — Supported everywhere since 2020: every browser, most CMS platforms, most image tools.
- AVIF — Supported by Chrome, Firefox, Safari 16+, and Edge. Still patchy in desktop software, email clients, and older CDN pipelines.
The pragmatic 2026 answer: serve AVIF with a WebP fallback via the <picture> element, or just use WebP if you want one format that works everywhere.
When JPG or PNG still wins
Print services, Microsoft Office, and many upload forms still expect JPG or PNG. Transparency with wide compatibility still means PNG. Photography workflows (Lightroom, camera RAW) remain JPG/TIFF territory.
Convert in either direction
ConvertFly converts all of these for free, in the browser, with no signup:
- JPG to AVIF and AVIF to JPG
- JPG to WebP and WebP to JPG
- WebP to AVIF and AVIF to WebP
- PNG to AVIF for graphics with transparency
Batch a few test images, compare the sizes, and pick what your audience's browsers can handle.