WebP vs AVIF: the next-gen image formats
AVIF compresses even smaller than WebP at the same quality, but WebP is faster to encode and universally supported. Here's how to choose.
At a glance
| WebP | AVIF | |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | Very good | Best-in-class |
| File size | Small | ~20% smaller than WebP |
| Encoding speed | Fast | Slower |
| Transparency & HDR | Alpha | Alpha + HDR |
| Browser support | Universal (modern) | Wide, slightly behind WebP |
Pick AVIF for the smallest files
AVIF delivers the best compression available in browsers today, often 20% smaller than WebP at matching quality, plus HDR and wide-gamut color. It's ideal for image-heavy pages where every kilobyte counts.
Pick WebP for speed and reach
WebP encodes faster and has marginally broader support, making it the pragmatic default. Many sites serve AVIF with a WebP fallback to get the best of both.
Tools used in this guide
Related guides
WebP vs AVIF: the next-gen image formats — FAQ
AVIF compresses smaller at the same quality and supports HDR, but WebP encodes faster and has slightly wider support. For most sites, AVIF with a WebP fallback is ideal.