Finally a truly free unlimited converter! Convert unlimited images online – 100% free, no sign-up required
Menu
CZ | EN
Date published: May 21, 2026
Last update: May 21, 2026
Author: Marek Hovorka
Category: Image Conversion
Tags: AVIF image format, convert png to avif, Image optimization, png to avif, transparent image compression
Learn when converting PNG to AVIF makes sense, how much file size you can save, what happens to transparency and quality, and the fastest way to create lighter images online.
PNG is still one of the most common image formats on the web, especially for screenshots, interface elements, logos, cutouts, and graphics that need transparency. The problem is simple: PNG files often get heavy fast. A single transparent image can weigh far more than it needs to, which slows pages, wastes bandwidth, and makes uploads less efficient.
That is where AVIF becomes useful. If you need a modern format that can keep visual quality high while dramatically cutting file size, converting PNG to AVIF is often one of the smartest upgrades you can make.
This guide explains exactly when PNG to AVIF conversion makes sense, what you keep, what you trade off, how transparency behaves, and how to get the best results with an online tool like PixConverter.
Quick start: Want to reduce a PNG file without giving up transparency? Use the PNG to AVIF converter on PixConverter to create smaller, web-friendly images in a few clicks.
The main reason is file size. PNG uses lossless compression, which is great for preserving exact pixel data, but not always great for efficiency. In many real-world cases, PNG files are much larger than modern alternatives.
AVIF was designed for much better compression efficiency. It can produce far smaller files than PNG while still looking excellent. It also supports transparency, which makes it especially attractive when you are replacing transparent PNG assets on a website.
Common reasons to convert PNG to AVIF include:
If your current PNG files are slowing down a site or making uploads bulky, AVIF can be a strong solution.
Converting PNG to AVIF does not just swap file extensions. It changes the way image data is stored and compressed.
For publishing and delivery, AVIF is often excellent. For master editing files, PNG may still be better in some workflows.
| Feature | PNG | AVIF |
|---|---|---|
| Compression type | Usually lossless | Lossy or lossless |
| Typical file size | Large for many web uses | Usually much smaller |
| Transparency | Yes | Yes |
| Editing friendliness | Very strong | More delivery-focused |
| Browser support | Very broad | Good in modern environments, weaker in older ones |
| Best use cases | Editing, archival, pixel-accurate graphics | Web delivery, optimization, lightweight transparent assets |
The short version: PNG is often better as a source format, while AVIF is often better as a delivery format.
If you have transparent badges, illustrations, promotional overlays, product cutouts, or layered-looking graphics exported as PNG, AVIF can often cut file size significantly while keeping the transparent background.
Interface graphics are often stored as PNG because of sharp edges and transparency. If the final goal is fast delivery rather than repeated editing, AVIF may be a more efficient format.
Screenshots can become huge as PNG files. AVIF can reduce weight substantially, especially when you are publishing help docs, knowledge bases, dashboards, or software previews online.
Some product images, especially those with transparent backgrounds, are stored as PNG. If you want faster category pages or product detail pages, AVIF can be a useful alternative.
Sometimes JPG is not the right replacement because you need transparency. In that case, AVIF is one of the strongest modern options.
Despite the benefits, not every PNG should be converted.
You may want to keep PNG if:
If your goal is compatibility above all else, PNG may still be safer. If your goal is efficient web delivery, AVIF is often stronger.
There is no single percentage that applies to every image, but AVIF often delivers substantial savings.
Real-world results depend on:
For many web graphics, reductions can be dramatic. Some PNG files shrink modestly. Others may become a fraction of their original size. The biggest wins often happen with larger transparent assets and oversized screenshots.
The best way to know is to test the actual image. That is why online conversion tools are so practical: you can compare file size and visible quality quickly instead of guessing.
Try it now: Upload your PNG to PixConverter’s PNG to AVIF tool and compare the result side by side. For many assets, the size savings are visible immediately in the file properties.
Yes. AVIF supports transparency, which is one of the reasons it is so useful as a PNG replacement for modern web delivery.
That matters because JPG does not support transparent backgrounds. If you convert a transparent PNG to JPG, the background must be filled somehow. With AVIF, transparent areas can remain transparent.
This makes AVIF especially useful for:
Still, you should preview the result. Fine edge detail, antialiasing, and semi-transparent areas may look slightly different depending on the compression settings.
It can, but it depends on how the file is encoded.
PNG is typically lossless. AVIF can be encoded losslessly too, but many conversion workflows use lossy compression to achieve much smaller file sizes. That means some information may be discarded.
In practice, the question is not whether anything changes at a technical level. The real question is whether the visual change is noticeable for the intended use.
For many website images, well-encoded AVIF files still look excellent. But there are cases where you should inspect the output carefully:
If visual precision is critical, compare the result at actual display size before replacing the original.
AVIF can work very well for many logo uses, especially digital delivery. But if the logo must remain perfectly editable or be reused across many tools, keep the original PNG or even the original vector source as your master file.
Screenshots are often excellent candidates, especially when large and used on websites. Test carefully if they contain small UI text.
These are often strong candidates for conversion because the transparent background remains intact while file size can drop meaningfully.
Usually a good fit, as long as the final exported look remains crisp at the sizes you need.
Less ideal as a master format. AVIF is better as an output format than as a working source file for iterative editing.
The easiest workflow is to use a browser-based converter. With PixConverter, you can convert without installing extra software and without creating a complicated export pipeline.
This is usually enough for most practical needs: website optimization, asset prep, and lighter image delivery.
If the PNG already contains artifacts, edge halos, or bad transparency, conversion will not magically fix them.
Do not judge quality only while zoomed in. Look at the image at the size users will actually see.
AVIF usually compresses very efficiently, but tiny interface text should always be reviewed before replacing a source PNG.
For design workflows and future edits, keep the source file. Use AVIF as the optimized output.
This is one of the most important distinctions. AVIF shines when your priority is smaller, web-friendly files.
Many users compare AVIF with WebP because both are modern web formats and both can handle transparency.
In general:
If you want to test both, PixConverter also offers a PNG to WebP converter. Comparing outputs is often the fastest way to choose the right delivery format for your images.
AVIF support is strong in modern web environments, but not universal across every app, CMS workflow, email platform, or desktop tool.
Before a full migration, ask:
If compatibility is uncertain, keep originals and test a small batch first.
Not in every situation. AVIF is often better for web delivery and smaller files. PNG is often better for editing, maximum compatibility, and exact lossless preservation.
Yes, in many modern workflows it can. AVIF supports transparency and can often reduce file size significantly.
Not necessarily. At good settings, AVIF can look excellent. But some images, especially those with tiny text or sharp line detail, should be checked before deployment.
Yes. An online tool like PixConverter lets you upload, convert, and download directly in your browser.
Usually no. Keep the PNG as your source or backup file, especially if you may edit the image again later.
It can be very good for logo delivery on websites, especially when transparency matters. For master files, keep your original source format too.
If you are trying to cut image weight while keeping transparency, converting PNG to AVIF is often one of the most effective upgrades available today. It is especially useful for website assets, transparent graphics, screenshots, and other images that are too large as PNG files.
The key is to think in terms of purpose. Use PNG when you need source quality, editing flexibility, or broad legacy compatibility. Use AVIF when you need lighter delivery, faster loading, and more efficient compression.
Use PixConverter to turn heavy PNG files into modern, lighter image formats in seconds.
Choose the format that matches your next step: faster delivery, easier editing, broader compatibility, or smaller uploads.
