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HEIC to AVIF Converter

Convert HEIC to AVIF online for free. Fast, secure, and high-quality conversion with no sign-up or software required.

Free to useNo file stored beyond 1 hourEncrypted over TLS 1.2/1.3No watermarks

How it works

Three steps to your converted file

Everything happens in your browser tab - upload, pick a format, download. The heavy lifting runs on our servers.

01

Upload your file

Drag and drop, click to browse, or paste a URL. Batches take up to 20 files at once - 230+ input formats across video, audio, image, document, and archive types.

02

Choose an output format

Pick from over a hundred output formats. Filter by category or search by name - every option is open to everyone, no account needed.

03

Convert & download

Hit Convert and grab your download link moments later. Originals are erased when the job completes; results are cleared within about an hour.

What is a HEIC file?

HEIC (High Efficiency Image Container) is the file extension used for images stored in the High Efficiency Image File Format (HEIF) specifically when encoded with the High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC/H.265) standard. Adopted by Apple in iOS 11 and macOS High Sierra, it encapsulates single images or image sequences using the ISO Base Media File Format (ISOBMFF). It offers superior compression ratios-typically 50% smaller than equivalent JPEGs-while supporting 16-bit color depth, transparency (alpha channels), and non-destructive editing instructions.

How to open a HEIC file

Native support is available on macOS (High Sierra and later), iOS 11+, and Windows 10/11 (provided the HEIF Image Extensions and HEVC Video Extensions are installed from the Microsoft Store). Android 9 (Pie) and later also support the format natively. For older systems or non-compatible software, users often require conversion tools like iMazing HEIC Converter or must use viewers like VLC Media Player and GIMP, which have integrated HEIC decoding libraries.

HEIC Technical Info

Full Name
High Efficiency Image Container
Developed By
MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group)
Initial Release
2015
MIME Type
image/heic

What is an AVIF file?

The AVIF (AV1 Image File Format) is an open, royalty-free raster image container specified by the Alliance for Open Media (AOMedia) in ISO/IEC 23000-12. It encapsulates image sequences or still images compressed with the AV1 video codec within the HEIF (High Efficiency Image File Format) container structure. AVIF supports high dynamic range (HDR) utilizing Perceptual Quantizer (PQ) or Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG) transfer functions, wide color gamut (WCG), and 4:2:0, 4:2:2, or 4:4:4 chroma subsampling, offering superior compression efficiency over JPEG and WebP.

How to open an AVIF file

Native support for AVIF is available in modern web browsers including Google Chrome (v85+), Mozilla Firefox (v93+), and Safari (v16+). For local viewing, Windows 10 and 11 require the installation of the free 'AV1 Video Extension' from the Microsoft Store to enable support in the Photos app and File Explorer. macOS 13 (Ventura) and iOS 16 provide system-level support. Graphics editors like GIMP, Paint.NET, and Adobe Photoshop (via plugin) can also decode and edit these files.

AVIF Technical Info

Full Name
AV1 Image File Format
Developed By
Alliance for Open Media
Initial Release
2019
MIME Type
image/avif

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Why RunConvert

The fastest way to convert any file

Purpose-built for speed, privacy, and breadth of format support.

Convert HEIC to AVIF in seconds

Every HEIC to AVIF conversion runs on our servers, so your device stays fast and the output quality stays intact.

Fast, cloud-powered

No queue, no waiting. Files are processed on high-performance servers and returned in seconds, even for large files.

Secure & private

Encrypted in transit and never shared with anyone. Uploads are erased the moment your job completes, and results shortly after.

Free - no account needed

Convert without creating an account - no credit card, no trial clock. Sign in only if you want history and higher daily limits.

Developer API

Convert HEIC to AVIF via API

Automate HEIC to AVIF conversions in three steps: create a job, upload your file, then poll for the result.

# 1. Create job
curl -X POST https://api.runconvert.com/v3/jobs \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "tag": "heic-to-avif",
    "tasks": {
      "upload-file": {
        "operation": "import/upload"
      },
      "convert": {
        "operation": "convert",
        "input": "upload-file",
        "output_format": "avif"
      },
      "export-result": {
        "operation": "export/url",
        "input": "convert"
      }
    }
  }'

# 2. Upload your file (use upload_url from the response)
curl -X PUT "$UPLOAD_URL" --upload-file input.heic

# 3. Poll for result
curl https://api.runconvert.com/v3/jobs/$JOB_ID?include=tasks \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY"

Replace YOUR_API_KEY with your RunConvert API key. Get your free API key at runconvert.com/api.