Best AVIF Image Viewers and Converters for Windows

AVIF (AV1 Image File Format) delivers up to 50% smaller file sizes than JPEG while maintaining superior image quality. Windows doesn't natively support AVIF files, but several free tools let you view and convert these modern image formats instantly.

Best AVIF Image Viewers

This guide covers the best desktop viewers, conversion software, and online tools to handle AVIF files on Windows 10 and 11.

Quick Solution: Enable Native AVIF Support

The fastest way to view AVIF images on Windows is installing the AV1 Video Extension from Microsoft.

This free codec adds AVIF support to Microsoft Photos, File Explorer thumbnails, and any application using the Windows Imaging Component.

After installation, double-click any AVIF file to open it directly.

For advanced viewing and conversion capabilities, install one of the dedicated image viewers below.

Best AVIF Image Viewers for Windows

IrfanView - Most Popular Choice

IrfanView handles AVIF files seamlessly with the plugins pack installed. This lightweight viewer supports batch conversion, thumbnail navigation, and Adobe Photoshop filter integration.

IrfanView converts AVIF images to JPEG, PNG, BMP, and dozens of other formats through its File > Save As menu.

The batch conversion feature processes hundreds of AVIF files simultaneously with custom resizing and quality settings.

Key features for AVIF: Native AVIF viewing with plugins, batch conversion to any format, EXIF metadata preservation, lossless rotation support.

XnView - Professional Grade

XnView and XnView MP support over 500 image formats including AVIF.

The dual-pane interface makes organizing large photo collections efficient, while the built-in converter handles AVIF-to-JPG and AVIF-to-PNG conversions with adjustable quality settings. XnView includes powerful batch renaming and metadata editing tools.

Key features for AVIF: 500+ format support, batch processing, metadata management, cross-platform availability.

FastStone Image Viewer - Lightweight Option

FastStone Image Viewer provides a clean, full-screen viewing experience with hidden toolbars that appear on mouse hover.

The software handles AVIF files after installing the AV1 codec and includes red-eye removal, cropping, color adjustments, and slideshow creation with over 150 transition effects.

Key features for AVIF: Full-screen mode, EXIF viewer, batch conversion, portable version available.

ImageGlass - Modern and Fast

ImageGlass launches instantly and handles AVIF files with a clean, modern interface.

The software supports over 80 formats out of the box and offers touch-friendly navigation for tablets and touchscreen laptops.

Color profiles display correctly, and EXIF metadata appears on demand.

Key features for AVIF: Lightning-fast startup, 80+ formats, modern UI, Windows 10/11 optimized.

PicView - Minimal and Customizable

PicView offers a distraction-free viewing experience with full customization options.

This free viewer supports AVIF, HEIC, WebP, PSD, and 100+ other formats. The minimal interface focuses on the image itself while providing essential navigation and zoom controls.

Key features for AVIF: Customizable interface, 100+ formats, Windows and macOS support.

nomacs - Open Source with Sync Features

nomacs includes a bundled AVIF plugin for the latest format standards.

The unique synchronization feature lets you run multiple instances to compare images through zooming or transparency overlay. Built-in editing covers brightness, contrast, rotation, and cropping.

Key features for AVIF: Multi-instance sync, ZIP archive browsing, portable version, JPEG XL support.

Best AVIF Conversion Software for Windows

Converseen - Batch Converter

Converseen specializes in batch image conversion with AVIF support through ImageMagick integration.

Convert AVIF files to JPEG, PNG, WebP, TIFF, and 100+ other formats. The straightforward interface handles multiple files simultaneously with options for resizing, renaming with prefixes, and quality adjustment.

Read the step-by-step How to Convert AVIF Files with Converseen guide.

Key features: Batch conversion, 100+ formats, cross-platform, HEIC/HEIF support.

reaConverter - Professional Workflow

reaConverter provides ultra-fast multi-threaded conversion with Watch Folders for automated processing.

The Lite version handles AVIF, HEIC, PNG, JPEG, and WebP conversions, while Standard and Pro versions unlock 600+ formats. Command-line integration enables automated workflows.

Key features: Watch Folders automation, command-line tool, 600+ formats (Pro), batch processing.

GIMP - Full Editing Suite

GIMP opens and exports AVIF files with full editing capabilities.

This Photoshop alternative includes layers, masks, advanced retouching, and plugin support. GIMP handles AVIF-to-PNG, AVIF-to-JPEG, and reverse conversions while preserving maximum quality.

Key features: Full image editing, layer support, non-destructive editing, GEGL processing.

Developer Libraries for AVIF

For software development and advanced users, these libraries enable programmatic AVIF handling:

libavif - Leading open-source library for encoding and decoding AVIF files with HDR support and superior color depth.
libheif - Powerful library for HEIF and AVIF image handling with plugin architecture for additional codecs.

Online AVIF Tools - No Installation Required

Convertico.com offers free browser-based AVIF conversion tools that work instantly without software installation:

AVIF Conversion Tools:

AVIF to JPG - Convert AVIF images to universally compatible JPEG format
AVIF to WebP - Transform AVIF to WebP for web optimization
AVIF to ICO - Create Windows icons from AVIF images
JPG to AVIF - Convert JPEG photos to space-saving AVIF format
PNG to AVIF - Transform PNG images to AVIF with transparency support
WebP to AVIF - Upgrade WebP images to AVIF compression
GIF to AVIF - Convert static GIF images to AVIF
GIF to Animated AVIF - Create animated AVIF files from GIF animations.

These online tools process files directly in your browser, keeping your images private while providing instant results.

Troubleshooting AVIF Files on Windows

AVIF files won't open:
Install the AV1 Video Extension to add system-wide AVIF support. Restart your image viewer after installation.

No thumbnails in File Explorer:
The AV1 codec enables thumbnail previews. If thumbnails don't appear, clear the thumbnail cache: open Disk Cleanup, select your system drive, check "Thumbnails," and click OK.

Quality loss during conversion:
When converting AVIF to JPEG, use quality settings of 90 or higher. For lossless conversion, export to PNG format instead.

Slow AVIF loading:
AVIF decoding requires more processing power than JPEG. Hardware acceleration in modern viewers like ImageGlass improves performance on supported GPUs.