JPEG VS AVIF
The ultimate comparison guide. Understanding the technical differences between Joint Photographic Experts Group and AV1 Image File Format.
JPEG
jpegAlternative extension for JPG images, widely supported across all browsers.
Pros
- Small file size
- Universal compatibility
- Adjustable compression levels
Cons
- Lossy compression
- No transparency
- Artifacts at high compression
AVIF
avifNext-gen compression codec derived from AV1 video, offering the best quality-to-size ratio.
Pros
- Best-in-class compression
- HDR support
- 10-bit color depth
Cons
- Slow encoding speed
- Limited software support outside browsers
When JPEG wins
Stay with JPEG when you need web images or digital photography. Its strengths center on small file size and a feature set native to Joint Photographic Experts Group.
When AVIF wins
Choose AVIF when your workflow prioritizes next-gen web delivery or high-quality streaming assets. It delivers best-in-class compression plus modern compression perks.
Technical Specifications
| Feature | JPEG | AVIF |
|---|---|---|
| MIME Type | image/jpeg | image/avif |
| Developer | Joint Photographic Experts Group | Alliance for Open Media |
| Release Year | 1992 | 2019 |
| Best For | Web images, Digital photography | Next-gen web delivery, High-quality streaming assets |
Need to switch?
Where JPEG still wins
Keep JPEG when you need small file size and workflows depend on web images / digital photography. Link those teams directly to the converter above so they can ship AVIF deliverables without leaving their browser.
- • Reference the .jpeg glossary from this page.
- • Embed the conversion CTA in docs, wikis, and onboarding runbooks.
- • Use AVIF for next-gen web delivery while archiving originals as JPEG.
Keep crawlers in the conversion hub
Link this comparison to the relevant tool, glossary, and documentation pages so every crawl discovers a monetizable route.