AVIF Browser Support: The Complete 2025 Guide

AVIF Browser Support: The Complete 2025 Guide

·6 min read
AVIFBrowser SupportPerformance
Alex Chen· Image Performance Engineer

AVIF in 2025: Where We Stand

AVIF (AV1 Image File Format) delivers the best compression of any widely available image format - typically 40-50% smaller than JPEG and 20-30% smaller than WebP. But adoption depends on browser support, and that has evolved significantly. This guide covers the current AVIF browser support landscape and how to implement it safely.

For a broader comparison of AVIF and its closest competitor, see our WebP vs AVIF guide.

AVIF Browser Support Table (2025)

BrowserAVIF SupportSince Version
Chrome (desktop & Android)Yes85 (Aug 2020)
EdgeYes92 (Sep 2020)
FirefoxYes93 (Oct 2021)
Safari (macOS & iOS)Yes16.0 (Sep 2022)
OperaYes71 (Aug 2020)
Samsung InternetYes14.0
Chrome iOSYesFollows Safari engine

As of 2025, AVIF is supported by approximately 93% of global browsers according to Can I Use. The remaining gap is primarily older Safari versions (pre-16) and a small fraction of legacy enterprise browsers.

The Remaining Gaps

Older Safari Versions

Safari 15 and earlier do not support AVIF. Users on macOS Monterey (12) and older, or iOS 15 and older, will not render AVIF images. This is the single largest segment of unsupported traffic.

Some Embedded and In-App Browsers

Certain in-app browsers (older Android WebViews, some email clients) lack AVIF support. Always provide a fallback.

Encoding Limitations

Browser support for decoding AVIF is now broad, but encoding speed remains a concern. AVIF encoding is slower than WebP, which matters for real-time conversion services but not for pre-optimized static assets.

The picture Element: Your Fallback Strategy

The correct way to serve AVIF with fallbacks is the HTML element. It lets the browser choose the first format it supports:

``html Hero image `

The browser evaluates each in order and picks the first compatible format. If none match, it falls back to the tag. This guarantees every visitor sees an image.

Why the Order Matters

Always list AVIF first, then WebP, then the original format:

  • AVIF - smallest file, modern browsers
  • WebP - slightly larger, near-universal support
  • JPEG/PNG - universal fallback for legacy browsers

    • This order ensures each browser gets the most efficient format it can handle.

    Server-Side Format Negotiation

    If you use a CDN or image service, you can negotiate format via the Accept header:

    ` Accept: image/avif,image/webp,/ `

    The server reads the header and serves the best format automatically, without requiring the element. CDNs like Cloudflare Images, Imgix, and Vercel's image optimizer support this natively.

    Generating All Three Formats

    To implement the strategy, you need three versions of each image. Generating them manually is impractical - use a batch converter:

  • Drop your source images into BulkPicConv
  • Convert to AVIF first - download the batch
  • Convert the same images to WebP - download the batch
  • Keep your original JPEGs/PNGs as the final fallback
  • Reference all three in your elements

    • Everything runs locally in your browser, so there is no upload delay and no privacy concern.

    Content Negotiation with CSS

    For background images, the element does not apply. Use CSS feature detection instead:

    `css .hero { background-image: url('hero.jpg'); } @supports (background-image: url('hero.avif')) { .hero { background-image: url('hero.avif'); } } `

    The @supports rule checks whether the browser can handle AVIF and overrides the background accordingly.

    When to Use AVIF vs WebP

    FactorAVIFWebP
    File size (photos)SmallestSmall
    Encoding speedSlowFast
    Browser support93%97%+
    Animation supportYesYes
    Legacy fallback needed?Yes (Safari <16)Rarely

    Use AVIF when you want maximum compression and can implement a fallback. AVIF shines for large hero images and photography where the byte savings are most impactful.

    Use WebP when you need fast encoding, near-universal support, or a simpler setup without fallbacks.

    Testing Your Implementation

    After deploying AVIF with fallbacks, verify:

  • Open Chrome DevTools > Network tab
  • Filter by "Img"
  • Confirm AVIF files are requested (not JPEG)
  • Test in Safari 15 if available - it should load WebP or JPEG instead

    • A correctly configured site serves AVIF to capable browsers and a fallback to everyone else, with zero broken images.

    Start Using AVIF Today

    Generate AVIF, WebP, and fallback formats in one batch with our free image converter - no upload, no sign-up, fully private. Pair it with our image size reduction guide for a complete optimization workflow.

    Testing AVIF in Development

    To verify AVIF support during development:

  • Open Chrome DevTools → Network tab
  • Check the "Accept" request header — should include image/avif
  • Use the ` element with AVIF source and WebP fallback
  • Test on real devices (especially iOS Safari versions)

    • The Future of AVIF

    AVIF continues to evolve:

  • AVIF 2.0: Adds gain map support for HDR images
  • Better encoding speed: Newer encoders are 2-3x faster than initial implementations
  • Wider adoption: More CDNs and platforms adding native AVIF support

    • Related Guides

  • WebP vs AVIF: Which Format to Choose
  • Image Optimization for Next.js
  • How to Compress Images Without Losing Quality

    • Ready to optimize your images?

    Try BulkPicConv — Free