vs
jpg
AVIF vs JPG: is it worth switching your photos?
A clear, practical comparison with a straight answer.
Use AVIF for photos on a modern website to cut load times and unlock HDR, with a JPG or WebP fallback for older browsers. Use JPG when the file needs to open in software you do not control, such as an old editor, a printer workflow or an email client.
AVIF is the newest widely deployed image format and it usually beats every older rival on file size at the same visual quality. JPG is the format that still opens on absolutely everything, from a thirty-year-old scanner to the newest phone.
The gap is less about looks and more about where the file has to travel. On a website you control, AVIF's extra compression is close to free. Hand the file to someone else's software and JPG's total compatibility becomes the deciding factor.
.avif vs .jpg at a glance
| .avif | .jpg | |
|---|---|---|
| File size at same quality | Smallest of the common formats | Larger |
| Colour depth / HDR | Up to 12-bit, HDR support | 8-bit, no HDR |
| Transparency | Yes | No |
| Encoding speed | Slower | Fast |
| Browser support | Broad in current browsers | Truly universal |
| Best for | Optimised photos on modern sites | Maximum compatibility |
Frequently asked questions
Is AVIF actually smaller than JPG?
Yes, usually significantly smaller at the same visual quality, sometimes by half or more. The exact saving depends on the image and how it is encoded.
Why won't an app open my AVIF file?
AVIF support is newer, so some desktop editors and older phones do not read it yet. Convert the file to JPG or PNG if a specific app rejects it.