AVIF is a next-generation format with the highest compression efficiency available. Current browsers open AVIF, but support in programs and services is uneven.
PNG is a versatile lossless format with transparency support. When you convert AVIF to PNG, you can open it in more places and the file grows. See the comparison below for what changes.
This converter reads the file itself to confirm it is AVIF, then converts it to PNG right in your browser. Your image is never uploaded.
AVIF vs PNG: what's the difference?
| Item | AVIF | PNG |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | Lossy or lossless | Lossless |
| Transparent background | Yes | Yes |
| Animation | Yes | No |
| Introduced | 2019 | 1996 |
| Support in programs and upload forms | limited | nearly everywhere |
| Shown directly in browsers | Yes | Yes |
| Photo file size (JPG = 1) | about 0.5× | about 3× |
What is AVIF?
AVIF is an image format released in 2019 that builds on the still-image technology of the AV1 video codec. At the same quality it can be around 50% smaller than JPG, so websites sensitive to file size are adopting it quickly.
What is PNG?
PNG (Portable Network Graphics) is a lossless format created in 1996 to avoid the patent problems around GIF. Because not a single pixel changes when you save and reopen it, it suits original artwork that goes through many edits.
What changes when you convert AVIF to PNG
Quality doesn't improve, but it doesn't get worse either
Information lost when AVIF was saved can't be recovered. PNG is lossless, so it keeps the image exactly as it is now and later edits and saves add no further degradation. File size will grow, though.
Moving images keep only their first frame
PNG can't hold animation. If your AVIF file is animated, only the first frame is converted.
PNG has no quality setting
PNG is lossless, so the quality slider doesn't apply. Instead, when converting from AVIF you can manage file size by resizing (exact width and height, or a percentage).
How the file size changes
For the same photo, PNG is much larger than AVIF (roughly 6× or so). This is for photos; for simple images such as logos and screenshots, PNG can actually come out smaller.
PNG opens in more places
Support for AVIF in programs, document tools and upload forms is limited, while PNG is nearly everywhere. If you need to upload somewhere AVIF wouldn't open, try again after converting.
When to convert
- You need to upload to a program, messenger or upload form that can't open AVIF
- You'll edit it several times and want an intermediate file that no longer degrades
- You're preparing an image for typical PNG uses (logos and icons, screenshots)
AVIF → PNG: practical tips
AVIF supports transparency, so PNG is the safest choice when you need an AVIF with a transparent background to work in places that can't open it.