PNG to AVIF Converter
Convert PNG images to AVIF format.
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About PNG to AVIF
AVIF is aimed at one thing: sending good looking pictures over the internet in as few bytes as possible. If you run a website and want large images to load faster, converting PNG files to AVIF is one of the options to test, next to WebP.
It is worth explaining how this page works, because it differs from our other converters. Browsers can display AVIF, but they generally cannot save pictures in that format on their own. So the first time you convert, this tool downloads an open source AVIF encoder that runs on your device, and then does the encoding there. That download needs an internet connection. Your image is not uploaded. Only the encoder program is fetched.
Encoding AVIF is heavy work. Expect a few seconds for a normal image and noticeably longer for a large one, and the first image takes longest because the encoder has to load. On a phone with little free memory, a very large image can fail, and you will get a message asking you to try a smaller one. We have checked the converter in desktop Chrome. If the encoder cannot be loaded in your browser, you see a clear message and no broken file is produced.
The quality slider starts at 60. AVIF quality numbers do not match JPG numbers, and 60 already looks good for most pictures. Raise it for screenshots with small text, and lower it for big background photos where fine detail matters less. Transparent backgrounds are kept.
Think about who has to display the result. Current versions of the major browsers show AVIF, but older versions do not, and outside browsers many programs still cannot open it. On a website, the usual approach is to offer the AVIF together with a PNG or WebP fallback, so every visitor gets a picture. Keep your PNG originals for that.
There are cases where converting is not worth it. Files you will email or put in a document should stay PNG or JPG. Tiny icons save almost nothing. And if your site builder does not accept AVIF uploads, WebP is the practical choice.
When Should I Use This?
Use it when you manage a website, want the smallest image files you can get, and can serve a fallback for older browsers. For everyday sharing, printing and documents, AVIF is the wrong format.
How to Use PNG to AVIF Step by Step
- Choose one or a few PNG files. Start with one to see how long your device needs.
- Leave the quality at 60 for a first try.
- Press Convert to AVIF and wait. The first image includes the download of the encoder.
- Compare the sizes in the list, and open the result in a browser tab to check how it looks.
- Download the AVIF files and keep the PNG originals as a fallback.
Limitations
Conversion is slow compared with the other formats and needs an internet connection the first time, to download the encoder. Very large images may fail on devices with little memory. Many programs outside web browsers cannot open AVIF files, so always keep the PNG.
Related Tools and Guide
- PNG to WebP is faster and its files open in more programs.
- AVIF to PNG converts an AVIF back when someone cannot open it.
- Guide: Using AVIF on a website without breaking older browsers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does making an AVIF take longer than other formats?
The AVIF method examines the picture far more thoroughly to find savings, and that takes computing time. Here it also runs on your own device and not on a server.
Can every browser display AVIF images?
Current versions of Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari can. Older versions cannot, so a website should keep a PNG or WebP version as a fallback.
Is the transparent background kept in the AVIF file?
Yes. AVIF supports transparency and the converter keeps it.
AVIF or WebP: which should I use on my site?
AVIF files are often smaller. WebP is quicker to create and is accepted by more software. Many sites offer AVIF first and fall back to WebP or PNG.
It says the converter could not be loaded. Why?
The AVIF encoder is downloaded the first time you convert. Check your internet connection, and whether an ad blocker or a company firewall is blocking the download, then try again.