Format Decision Guide

AVIF vs WebP: Which Should You Ship?

Both formats outperform legacy JPG/PNG for many use cases. Choose based on performance targets, compatibility requirements, and encoding pipeline speed.

Test with Converter HEIC/AVIF Converter

Quick Comparison Matrix

Criteria AVIF WebP
Compression efficiency Excellent, often smallest Very good, typically larger than AVIF
Visual quality per byte Strong on complex photos Consistent, easier to tune quickly
Encoding speed Slower Faster
Compatibility safety Modern support, verify edge cases Safer default across mixed environments
Best fit Performance-critical image delivery General-purpose modern web format

Choose AVIF

When every kilobyte matters and you can afford slower encoding in build pipelines.

Choose WebP

When you need reliable compatibility and faster conversion at scale.

Choose Both

Best for critical pages: AVIF primary, WebP fallback strategy.

Practical Fallback Strategy

For production sites, serve AVIF first, then WebP, then JPG/PNG fallback where needed.

<picture>
  <source srcset="/images/hero.avif" type="image/avif">
  <source srcset="/images/hero.webp" type="image/webp">
  <img src="/images/hero.jpg" alt="Hero image" loading="lazy" decoding="async">
</picture>

Test Workflow

  1. Step 1

    Convert sample assets with Image Converter.

  2. Step 2

    Compare sizes and visual quality side-by-side at real display dimensions.

  3. Step 3

    Measure LCP and total page weight with your actual layout and CDN settings.

  4. Step 4

    Adopt one format default, then add fallback rules for outlier clients.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not always, but AVIF often wins at similar quality, especially on complex photographic images.
Not blindly. Keep WebP as a fallback in workflows that prioritize compatibility and speed.
Yes. Convert sample images with the Image Converter and compare output size/quality side by side.
HEIC is common for camera capture. Convert HEIC to WebP/AVIF/JPG based on your publishing needs.

Related Pages

Explore related tools to keep your workflow fast and consistent.

Image Format Converter

Convert between AVIF, WebP, JPG, PNG, and more.

HEIC/AVIF Converter

Convert HEIC/HEIF from mobile to delivery-ready formats.

Compress PNG Without Losing Quality

Lossless optimization for transparency-heavy assets.