HEIC to AVIF Converter
Take iPhone HEIC photos to AVIF for web delivery without uploading the originals.
Encoded in your browser when AVIF writing is supported (modern Chromium). If encoding is unavailable, the converter explains and suggests WebP.
Choose a file or drag and drop
Drop your HEIC file here or
Choose file · Drag & drop · Public file link
- Processed on your device
- No conversion file stored on our servers
- Maximum file size: 100 MB
Conversion runs in your browser. Files are not uploaded to Format Convertly servers.
Format comparison
HEIC → AVIF
- Compression
- Depends on the codec inside the file
- Lossy and lossless modes
- Transparency
- No alpha channel
- Can include alpha
This is a format comparison, not a live conversion preview. Convert a file above to see the real output.
Conversion Settings
Customize the output to match your needs.
Convert Quality
92%Resize Image (Optional)
Advanced settings
Additional Options
- Maintain aspect ratio
- Remove metadata (EXIF)Browser re-encoding writes a new file without the original EXIF block.
How to Convert HEIC to AVIF
Add your HEIC
Drop a HEIC file into the browser panel. Nothing is sent to a remote queue.
Confirm settings
Review optional quality/size settings, then confirm AVIF as the output.
Download AVIF
Convert locally and download the AVIF file when processing finishes.
Why Convert HEIC to AVIF?
Private by design
HEIC → AVIF runs in your browser. Files are not uploaded to a remote conversion queue.
Ready for the next step
Convert when a site, editor, or teammate expects AVIF instead of HEIC.
Practical quality
AVIF: varies. Lossy targets trade size for speed — preview when it matters.
Transparency aware
AVIF can keep transparent pixels when the source supports them.
HEIC vs AVIF
A quick side-by-side before you convert — deeper comparison lives on the full guide.
| Feature | HEIC | AVIF |
|---|---|---|
| Kind | high-efficiency raster image container | modern raster image |
| Compression | HEIF/HEVC based | varies |
| Lossy / lossless | Typically lossy | Typically lossy |
| Transparency | Not supported / N/A | Supported |
| Best for | iPhone and iPad camera originals; Keeping large photo libraries efficient | Modern website photos; Image-heavy apps targeting current browsers |
| Typical size | Often 30–50% smaller than a comparable iPhone JPG | Often smaller than JPG/WebP at similar quality |
| Browser / web support | Limited native display — convert for reliable web use | Good in current major browsers; still test legacy audiences |
| Compatibility | Native on modern iOS/macOS; Windows needs HEIF extensions or conversion; limited on the open web | Strong in current Chrome, Firefox, and Safari; still convert for ancient browsers, email clients, and print vendors that expect JPG/TIFF |
Choose HEIC when…
- iPhone and iPad camera originals
- Keeping large photo libraries efficient
- AirDrop and iCloud photo workflows
- Archiving phone shots before a JPG share copy
Choose AVIF when…
- Modern website photos
- Image-heavy apps targeting current browsers
- HDR-capable imaging pipelines
- Transparent images with strong compression
What happens to image quality?
Both HEIC and AVIF are typically lossy. A second encode can add generation loss — preview when fidelity matters. AVIF can store transparency, but a flat HEIC source has no alpha channel to recover. Conversion cannot invent missing transparency. AVIF is a raster image format, not a media container. HEIC: Most iPhone HEIC photos use HEVC stills inside HEIF, yielding smaller files than JPEG at similar perceived quality. Efficiency helps libraries; compatibility is the tradeoff outside Apple ecosystems. AVIF: AVIF uses AV1 intra frames for stills, often winning on photo compression versus JPEG and WebP. Encodes can be slower; decode is fine on modern devices. Always compare perceptual quality on hero images. Encoded in your browser when AVIF writing is supported (modern Chromium). If encoding is unavailable, the converter explains and suggests WebP.
Tip
Converting from HEIC cannot restore detail already removed by lossy compression.
Does AVIF support transparency?
AVIF can store transparent pixels — AVIF supports transparency (including alpha where the codec/container allows). Keep a format with alpha when you need soft edges or overlays.
AVIF format guide →Can converting HEIC to AVIF restore lost detail?
No. HEIC is typically lossy — detail already discarded cannot be rebuilt by converting to AVIF. You get a faithful copy of the current pixels.
HEIC format guide →HEIC · AVIF
Related converters HEIC
Related converters AVIF
Frequently Asked Questions
More on quality loss: conversion quality guides · problem-solution guides
Does converting HEIC to AVIF reduce quality?
It can — both sides are typically lossy. A careful encode may look similar; repeated re-encodes cause generational loss. Prefer converting once from the best master you have.
Can you recover quality after converting?
Not from a lossy output alone. Return to the original master (or a better source). Converting to a lossless format does not resurrect discarded detail.
What is generational loss?
Damage that stacks when you decode and lossy-encode the same file over and over (for example JPG→edit→JPG). Edit from masters and export delivery formats once.
Where can I learn more about conversion quality?
Browse Format Convertly’s Quality guides for topics like whether conversion reduces quality, JPG↔PNG myths, WebP/MP3/MP4 tradeoffs, recovery limits, and generational loss — each links to the right converter.
Can every browser create AVIF?
Not yet. Modern Chromium builds often can; others may decode AVIF but not encode it. Format Convertly checks support and will not silently save a fake .avif.
Is conversion private?
Yes. Images are decoded and encoded in your browser — nothing is uploaded to Format Convertly.
What is a HEIC file?
HEIC is Apple’s default High Efficiency Image Container — usually HEVC-compressed photos that keep more detail in less space than JPG. iPhone cameras often save HEIC to shrink libraries without looking soft. Great on Apple devices; convert to JPG or PNG before sharing with Windows users, older apps, or websites that only accept JPEG.
What is a AVIF file?
AVIF is a modern image format based on AV1 compression with excellent size and quality. AVIF often beats JPEG and WebP on compression for photographs while supporting HDR and transparency. Browser support is now strong on current engines; keep a JPG/WebP fallback when you must support very old clients.
Ready to Convert Your Files?
HEIC to AVIF privately in your browser.