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Convert HEIC to AVIF

Convert HEIC to AVIF: upload a .heic file and download it as .avif. No signup, no watermarks. The quality, transparency and file size effects are explained below.

Upload a .heic file and download it as .avif. HEIC is apple's default iphone photo format with excellent compression, while AVIF is next-generation format with superior compression — below you can see exactly what changes in the conversion.

HEIC → AVIF

Drop one .heic file here

or click to choose · up to 50 MB

Files are uploaded to Sirv for processing. Do not upload confidential or sensitive images.

Should You Convert HEIC to AVIF?

Conversion changes how your image is stored, not what it shows. Switching from HEIC to AVIF trades one set of strengths for another, so it helps to know which side of that trade you are on.

Good reasons to switch

  • ✓ Best compression ratio
  • ✓ HDR support
  • ✓ Supports transparency
  • ✓ You need the file in a program or platform that only accepts .avif

Better off staying with HEIC

  • ✗ 50% smaller than JPEG — conversion does not remove this trade-off
  • ✗ 10-bit color depth — conversion does not remove this trade-off
  • ✗ HDR support — conversion does not remove this trade-off
  • ✗ Nothing about your current workflow requires .avif

What Changes When You Convert

Quality

Both formats support lossy compression, so quality depends on the settings used. A high-quality AVIF export is visually indistinguishable from the HEIC original for almost all content.

Transparency

Transparency is preserved when converting between these two formats.

Animation

Animation support varies by converter; most single-file conversions produce a still image from frame one.

File size

File size depends on content: AVIF files are typically around 50% smaller than JPEG at the same quality, while HEIC files are typically around half the size of JPEG at similar quality.

HEIC vs AVIF: Format Comparison

Feature HEIC AVIF
Compression Lossy and lossless Lossy and lossless
Transparency Yes Yes
Animation Yes Yes
Typical size typically around half the size of JPEG at similar quality typically around 50% smaller than JPEG at the same quality
Best for iPhone photography, Apple ecosystem, Storage-efficient archival High-quality photography, HDR content, Bandwidth-critical sites
Browser support Safari only 92%
Extension / MIME .heic · image/heic .avif · image/avif

How the Converter Works

  1. Upload — drop your .heic file into the tool above. It is uploaded to Sirv for processing; do not use confidential images.
  2. Convert — the file is re-encoded as .avif with sensible default quality settings.
  3. Download — the response is checked for a successful status, the expected MIME type, and a valid image signature before download.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does converting HEIC to AVIF lose quality?
A little, yes — AVIF is a lossy format, so the encoder discards data it considers invisible. At typical quality settings the difference is imperceptible for photos. If you plan to edit the image further, keep a copy of the HEIC original.
Will the AVIF file be smaller than my HEIC file?
File size depends on content: AVIF files are typically around 50% smaller than JPEG at the same quality, while HEIC files are typically around half the size of JPEG at similar quality.
Is this HEIC to AVIF converter free?
Yes — free, with no signup and no watermarks. Your image is uploaded to Sirv so the converted file can be generated.
Can I convert back later without losing more quality?
You can always convert back, but each lossy re-encode compounds slightly. The safe habit: keep your original .heic file as the master, and treat every converted .avif as a derived copy.

Go Deeper

HEIC guide →

Compression settings, tools, and pitfalls for .heic files.
AVIF guide →

Get the most out of .avif: optimization, quality, and delivery.
HEIC converter →

Convert any supported format to HEIC, or HEIC to anything else.
AVIF converter →

Convert any supported format to AVIF, or AVIF to anything else.