FILE FORMAT GUIDE
AVIF File (.AVIF): What It Is & How to Open It
An AVIF file stores AV1-coded image items in a HEIF/ISO Base Media File Format structure. It may represent SDR, HDR, wide-gamut or multi-layer images.
Quick facts
- Extension
- .avif
- Format
- AV1 Image File Format
- Category
- image
- MIME type
- image/avif
- Standard / developer
- Alliance for Open Media
- Open with
- Current web browser
What is AVIF?
AVIF uses file-type brands rather than one fixed byte prefix as its identifying evidence. A compatible file can declare avif and profile brands; sequence-oriented files use different brands.
How to open AVIF
Current web browserWindows / macOS / Linux / Web
Drag the AVIF image into a current browser window. If it does not display, update the browser or use an image editor with AVIF support.
Common uses and compatibility
- Store AV1 still images or image collections in a HEIF-based file
Things to check
- A reader may support only the AVIF profiles and brands it implements.
Advanced inspection
These developer and command-line workflows inspect structure or metadata. They are not the default way most people open the file.
ImageMagick identifyCommand-line tool
First run magick identify -list format and confirm AVIF read support in this installation. Then run magick identify -verbose -- input.avif to inspect the format and image characteristics without overwriting the source.
Technical details
- Signature
- Not reviewed
- Encoding
- Not applicable
- Container
- HEIF / ISO Base Media File Format
- Compression
- AV1 image coding
Related formats
- WebP Image
WebP uses a RIFF-based container and WebP coding, while AVIF uses ISO Base Media File Format structures and AV1 coding.
- High Efficiency Image File Format
AVIF is an AV1-specific image format in the broader HEIF and ISO Base Media File Format family.
- JPEG Image
JPEG is a common compatibility target; AVIF uses a different container and AV1 image coding.
Sources & review
Sources reviewed 2026-09-19.