Quick answer
WebP is the safer default for most website teams. AVIF often wins on file size, especially for photographs, but it can add more workflow friction depending on your tooling and support requirements.
Choose WebP when
You want a practical modern default with broad support and a simpler publishing workflow.
Choose AVIF when
You want the smallest possible image files and your pipeline already handles modern formats cleanly.
Use cases
- Performance work on marketing pages
- Large ecommerce catalogs with many product photos
- Blog and editorial sites trying to cut image payload
- Design systems choosing a modern image default
Workflow
- Use Image Format Guide for the broader decision tree.
- Convert sample assets with Image Convert.
- Compress outputs with Image Compress.
- Pick the format that gives the best balance of weight, support, and team friction.
FAQ
Is AVIF always smaller?
Often, but not always enough to justify a more complicated workflow.
Should I replace PNG screenshots with AVIF?
Not automatically. Test readability and transparency needs first.
Where should I start?
Start with WebP if you want the least risky improvement path.