How to Convert WebP to AVIF: The Next Step in Image Optimization

You already made the smart move to WebP. Your images are smaller than JPG. Your pages load faster. Good.

But there's a format that goes even further. AVIF beats WebP by another 20-30% in file size. Same quality. Even smaller files.

If you've already optimized your images with WebP, AVIF is the natural next step. Here's why it matters and how to make the switch.

How Much Smaller Is AVIF Than WebP?

The savings depend on the image, but the pattern is consistent. AVIF files are typically 20-30% smaller than WebP at the same visual quality.

Here's what that looks like in practice:

Image type	WebP size	AVIF size	Savings
Product photo	140 KB	100 KB	29%
Blog hero image	200 KB	140 KB	30%
Thumbnail	25 KB	18 KB	28%
Transparent graphic	55 KB	35 KB	36%

These numbers add up. A site serving 100 images per page saves 3-5 MB by switching from WebP to AVIF. On mobile networks, that translates to noticeably faster load times.

The gap is especially big for images with gradients and smooth color transitions. AVIF's compression algorithm handles these patterns much better than WebP. Where WebP might show subtle banding, AVIF stays smooth.

Is Converting WebP to AVIF a Good Idea?

There's an important thing to understand here. WebP uses lossy compression. AVIF also uses lossy compression. When you convert from one lossy format to another, the image goes through compression twice.

This means some quality loss. The second compression round removes additional data on top of what WebP already removed. For most images at reasonable quality settings, you won't see the difference. But it's there.

The best approach is to convert from your original source files whenever possible. If you still have the original JPG or PNG, convert those directly to AVIF. You'll get better quality at the same file size.

If WebP is all you have, converting to AVIF still works fine. Just use a slightly higher quality setting (85-90%) to compensate for the double compression. The resulting AVIF will still be smaller than your WebP, and the quality difference will be invisible in normal viewing.

What Can AVIF Do That WebP Can't?

Both formats are modern and capable. But AVIF has several technical advantages.

Better compression. This is the main one. AVIF produces smaller files across the board. The AV1 codec it's built on is more advanced than VP8, which powers WebP.

HDR support. AVIF handles High Dynamic Range images natively. This means brighter highlights, deeper shadows, and more detail in between. WebP is limited to standard dynamic range.

Wide color gamut. AVIF can store colors from wider color spaces like Display P3. Modern screens can show these extra colors. WebP is limited to the older sRGB color space.

Better handling of fine detail. At similar file sizes, AVIF preserves more texture and fine detail than WebP. Look closely at fabric textures, hair, or foliage. AVIF keeps more of that detail intact.

12-bit color depth. AVIF supports 10 and 12 bits per channel, while WebP maxes out at 8. More bit depth means smoother gradients and more subtle color variations.

Does AVIF Have the Same Browser Support as WebP?

Not quite yet, but it's close.

WebP has near-universal support at over 97% of web users. It's been around since 2010, so browsers have had plenty of time to adopt it.

AVIF is newer but growing fast. Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge all support it now. That puts AVIF at about 93% of web users. The gap is shrinking every month.

For web delivery, the smart approach is to serve both. Use the <picture> element to offer AVIF first, then WebP as the fallback. Browsers that support AVIF get the smallest files. Older browsers still get WebP. Nobody sees a broken image.

This way, you're not choosing between AVIF and WebP. You're using both, each where it works best.

How Do You Convert WebP Files to AVIF?

ConvertIMG makes this easy. Drop your WebP files in, select AVIF as the output, and download. The conversion happens in your browser. No files are uploaded to any server.

For quality settings when converting from WebP:

• Use 85-90% for photos and detailed images. This compensates for double compression.
• Use 75-80% for thumbnails and preview images where small file size matters more.
• Use 90-95% for images where you need maximum quality, like portfolio pieces or product close-ups.

If you have the original source files (JPG or PNG), always convert from those instead. You'll get the best quality with the smallest file size.

Should You Replace All Your WebP Files With AVIF?

Not necessarily. Here's a practical approach.

For new content: Convert directly from your source files to AVIF. Make AVIF your primary format going forward.

For existing WebP files: Convert the most important ones first. Hero images, product photos, and above-the-fold content have the biggest impact on performance. Work through the rest over time.

Keep WebP as a fallback. Even as AVIF adoption grows, having WebP versions ensures compatibility with every modern browser.

The transition from WebP to AVIF doesn't need to happen overnight. It's more of a gradual upgrade. Each image you convert saves bandwidth and improves load times.

For a complete comparison of all major image formats and guidance on when to use each one, read our image format guide.

Ready to Upgrade From WebP to AVIF?

Take your image optimization to the next level. ConvertIMG converts WebP to AVIF in seconds. Free, private, and fast. Try it now and see how much more you can save.