SparkCore
AVIF on WordPress: even more compact where possible
AVIF can be even more efficient than WebP. Spark combines AVIF with fallbacks so your visitors always see a working image.
In short
- AVIF is often the smallest format for the same visible quality.
- All current major browsers support AVIF.
- Always use AVIF with a fallback for browsers that cannot handle it.
AVIF and compatibility
Not every browser handles AVIF everywhere, which is why we mix formats in one workflow.
What is AVIF and why are the files so small?
AVIF is a modern image format derived from video compression. It stores image information more cleverly than JPEG. For photos with soft gradients, such as skies or skin, that makes a big difference. The format also supports transparency. That means it can sometimes replace a PNG. The price is computing time. Creating an AVIF takes longer than a JPEG or WebP. That is no problem for visitors, because you create the file once and serve it many times.
Which browsers support AVIF in WordPress?
Current versions of Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari display AVIF. Still, not everyone visits your site with the newest browser. Older devices and outdated apps may lack the format. That is no reason to skip AVIF. It is a reason to use a fallback. The browser tells the server which formats it can show and gets the best one that fits. Anyone who does not know AVIF gets WebP or JPEG. Nobody sees a broken image.
- Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari support AVIF in their current versions.
- Older browsers need a JPEG or WebP fallback.
- Always test on a real device, not just in your own browser.
AVIF or WebP: which do you choose for your WordPress site?
You do not have to choose. Use both. AVIF often gives the smallest file. WebP is faster to produce and widely supported, so it is a strong second choice. JPEG or PNG remains the safety net. Keep in mind that smaller is not always better. With too much compression, AVIF can look smooth and waxy. So always judge the result at screen size. For photos, AVIF is usually the winner. For small icons, the difference in bytes is often too small to matter.
- Use AVIF for photos with soft gradients.
- Keep WebP as the second choice and JPEG or PNG as the safety net.
- Always judge the result at screen size.
How do you use AVIF safely on WordPress?
Using it safely comes down to three things: creating variants, serving the right one and keeping your original. If you do it by hand, you have to keep that up for every upload. Spark Media Optimizer takes over this work. The plugin creates WebP and AVIF in the background and serves them to browsers that support them. JPEG or PNG acts as the fallback. If a browser does not support a format, the plugin falls back automatically. That also applies to your existing library.
Frequently asked questions
Often yes, especially for photos. The difference depends on the image and the setting. Test a few representative images and compare at screen size before you decide.
Not in every one. Current versions of Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari do show it. Older browsers need a fallback such as WebP or JPEG, otherwise they show no image.
No. Keep the original and serve AVIF as an extra variant. That way you can always go back and you cover browsers that do not know the format.