HEIC to AVIF Converter: Free & Private
You want the smallest possible file and you control where it will be viewed. Convert it here, in your browser, with nothing uploaded anywhere.
Why convert HEIC to AVIF?
AVIF uses the AV1 video codec's intra-frame compression, and against JPG the difference is not subtle: measured on this converter, a photo lands at roughly 40% of the JPG file size at matched quality. It is dramatically better in flat gradients like skies, where JPG banding is most obvious. Both HEIC and AVIF descend from video codecs, so this conversion keeps the photo in the same broad family rather than dropping back a generation.
The catch worth knowing about
AVIF encoding is genuinely slow, on our measurements, roughly six times longer than a JPG of the same photo, and the gap widens with resolution. A large batch will take minutes rather than seconds. That cost is paid once at conversion, never by the people viewing the image. Against WebP specifically, the file-size win is small; AVIF's real advantage over WebP is in gradients, dark scenes and film grain rather than in the headline number.
One tip before you start
Serve AVIF with a WebP or JPG fallback in a <picture> element if your audience includes older devices. For personal archiving, AVIF alone is fine.
HEIC vs AVIF, quick comparison
| Property | HEIC | AVIF |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Apple's modern photo format (High Efficiency Image Coding). About half the size of JPG at the same quality, stores a full-quality original plus a compressed preview. | The newest generation format (AV1 image). Best compression of all, but support is still growing. |
| File size | About half a JPG at matched quality | About 40% of the JPG size; close to WebP |
| Transparency | Yes, though camera photos never use it | Yes, full 8-bit alpha |
| Where it opens | Apple devices, and little else without a codec pack | All current browsers; rare outside them |
How to convert HEIC to AVIF
- Drop your HEIC files into the box above (or click to browse).
- Press Convert, the encoder loads the first time you use it, then each image takes a moment. It all runs on your device.
- Download each converted file, or grab them all as a ZIP.
Frequently asked questions
Why would I convert HEIC to AVIF?
You want the smallest possible file and you control where it will be viewed. AVIF uses the AV1 video codec's intra-frame compression, and against JPG the difference is not subtle: measured on this converter, a photo lands at roughly 40% of the JPG file size at matched quality. It is dramatically better in flat gradients like skies, where JPG banding is most obvious. Both HEIC and AVIF descend from video codecs, so this conversion keeps the photo in the same broad family rather than dropping back a generation.
What should I watch out for when converting HEIC to AVIF?
AVIF encoding is genuinely slow, on our measurements, roughly six times longer than a JPG of the same photo, and the gap widens with resolution. A large batch will take minutes rather than seconds. That cost is paid once at conversion, never by the people viewing the image. Against WebP specifically, the file-size win is small; AVIF's real advantage over WebP is in gradients, dark scenes and film grain rather than in the headline number.
Any tips for getting the best AVIF out of a HEIC file?
Serve AVIF with a WebP or JPG fallback in a <picture> element if your audience includes older devices. For personal archiving, AVIF alone is fine.
Will I lose quality converting HEIC to AVIF?
AVIF is lossy, and unusually good at it, at the same visual quality it is typically 20-30% smaller than WebP and around half the size of JPG. Gradients and flat skies, where JPG bands most visibly, survive best.
Do my HEIC files get uploaded?
No. The conversion runs on your device, in the browser tab you are reading this in. You can prove it: disconnect from the internet and convert anyway.
Is it free, and how many HEIC files can I do at once?
Free, with no sign-up, no watermark and no daily limit. Up to 200 files per batch, downloadable individually or as one ZIP.
Related conversions
AVIF is not the only thing a HEIC file can become, and HEIC is not the only thing that converts to AVIF. These run on the same converter, on your device, with the same 200-file batch limit.
Guides
Longer walk-throughs covering HEIC and the way this converter handles it.
Related tools
Once your images are converted, these on-device tools can help you prepare them for sharing or upload.