JPG to AVIF: When AVIF Is Worth It
AVIF can be smaller than JPG/WebP at similar quality, but compatibility is more limited. Here's when to use it and when to skip it.
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AVIF is one of the best “next-gen” image formats for the web. In many cases it delivers smaller files at similar quality compared to JPG, and sometimes even compared to WebP.
But AVIF is not a universal drop-in replacement. The right question is not “Is AVIF better?” It is “Is AVIF better for my audience and workflow?”
If you want to test it on real images, start here: JPG to AVIF.
When AVIF is worth using
AVIF is usually worth it when:
- You care a lot about web performance (Core Web Vitals, mobile bandwidth).
- Your site already serves modern formats (you can do fallbacks).
- You are optimizing high-resolution photos or large hero images.
If your site serves a modern audience and you have a good image pipeline, AVIF can be a meaningful win.
When you should skip AVIF (for now)
Consider skipping AVIF when:
- You need maximum compatibility with older devices or software.
- Your workflow is email attachments and offline sharing (JPG is simpler).
- You do not have a fallback strategy (for example,
<picture>sources).
In those cases, WebP is often the “safer modern” option:
AVIF adoption: the simplest “safe” approach
If you publish images online, the low-risk way to adopt AVIF is not to replace everything with AVIF. It is to add AVIF as an option:
- Serve AVIF to browsers that support it
- Serve WebP or JPG as a fallback
That way you benefit from AVIF’s efficiency without breaking older clients.
How to convert JPG to AVIF (private)
- Open: JPG to AVIF
- Drop your JPG files in (batch up to 20).
- Pick a quality setting.
- Convert and download.
QuickImager processes files locally in your browser. No uploads.
A simple rollout approach (if you publish online)
If you are adopting AVIF for a website, a practical approach is:
- Generate AVIF as the first choice for modern browsers
- Serve WebP or JPG as a fallback
That way you get the upside without breaking older viewers.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using AVIF for “human file sharing”: If you are emailing files or sending to clients, JPG is still the least surprising.
- Skipping quality checks: Always check at 100% zoom on a few representative photos.
- No fallback plan: If your site can’t serve fallbacks, WebP might be the better choice.
Related reading
- Choosing between modern formats: AVIF vs WebP
- Need compatibility? JPG vs WebP
- Need to undo AVIF later? AVIF to JPG
FAQ
- Is AVIF always smaller than WebP? Not always, but it often is for large photographic images. The best approach is to test representative images.
- Will AVIF work everywhere? Not yet. If you need universal compatibility, keep JPG. For websites, use fallbacks.
- Is this private? Yes. QuickImager converts locally in your browser with no uploads.
Test your images: Convert JPG to AVIF.
Convert now (private, no uploads)
Use the exact tool for this guide in your browser.