How to Convert AVIF to JPG: A Practical Guide

Fast Conversions With a Web-Based Tool

For quick, one-off conversions without technical setup, use a web-based converter. It is the most straightforward option and works well for occasional use.

Consider a common scenario: a photographer has 50 new product shots in AVIF format for a client. The client's e-commerce platform does not support AVIF. A web-based tool provides a simple solution without technical overhead.

The Browser-Based Workflow

Convert.FAST is designed for simplicity. You drag your files onto the page, select the output format, and start the conversion. The processing occurs on the server, and you receive a download link when it is complete. This can be done from any computer with an internet connection.

Handling Batch Conversions Securely

When uploading client work or personal photos, security is a valid concern. Any reputable online tool should be transparent about its privacy measures. Convert.FAST includes several layers of protection:

These features allow you to handle professional workloads securely. The platform can process multiple files in a single batch. Once finished, you receive a single ZIP archive containing all your converted JPGs for easy download and organization. If your converted JPGs are larger than expected, you can compress them further to reduce file size.

Automating Conversions With Command-Line Tools

For developers or users comfortable with a terminal, command-line tools are the most powerful way to convert AVIF to JPG. This method is ideal for automated workflows, such as processing user-uploaded images on a server or integrating conversions into build scripts.

While online converters are good for manual tasks, they do not scale for automation. A command-line setup is a scriptable solution that provides reliability for server-side processing. The two most common tools for this job are ImageMagick and FFmpeg.

Using ImageMagick for Single and Batch Conversions

ImageMagick is a comprehensive suite of tools for image manipulation and an industry standard. It can be installed with a single command using a package manager like Homebrew on macOS or apt on Linux.

Once installed, converting a single file is easy. You specify the input file and the desired output file.

magick input-image.avif -quality 85 output-image.jpg

The -quality 85 flag instructs ImageMagick to set the JPG quality to 85%. This level typically provides a good balance between visual clarity and file size. For more details on quality settings and other flags, see our developer's guide to converting AVIF to JPG.

Processing an Entire Folder

Batch processing is where command-line tools excel. If you have a folder full of AVIF files, a simple shell script can process the entire directory.

#!/bin/bash
# Create a directory for output files
mkdir -p jpg-converted

# Find all AVIF files and loop over them
for file in *.avif; do
  # Convert file with quality set to 85 and save it in new directory
  magick "$file" -quality 85 "jpg-converted/${file%.avif}.jpg"
done

echo "Batch conversion complete."

This method requires some initial setup and comfort with command line. However, for anyone needing to convert images at scale, the control and efficiency are significant benefits.

Using Desktop Graphics Software for Precision

Sometimes you need more control than a quick conversion offers. This is where dedicated graphics software is useful. If you use tools like Adobe Photoshop or open-source GIMP, you already have a powerful converter available.

This method is well-suited for individual images where precise output is more important than speed.

The Manual Workflow

The workflow is typically to open the AVIF file and use the Export As or Save As menu. From there, you can select JPG as the output format. Note that some older versions of Photoshop may require a plugin to open AVIF files, as native support was added recently.

Why Go Manual?

The main advantage of this method is the immediate visual feedback. Unlike a command-line tool or a web converter, a graphics editor shows you the effect of your settings before you save.

This hands-on approach allows you to make careful trade-offs between image quality and file size. You can lower the quality to 75 for a smaller web graphic or raise it to 90 for print, observing how compression artifacts change with each adjustment.

Managing JPG Quality and File Size

When you convert an AVIF to a JPG, the main challenge is balancing image quality and file size. Because AVIF compression is more advanced, the resulting JPG will be larger if you want to maintain comparable visual quality.

The Most Important Tool: JPG Quality Setting

The most important tool for this is the JPG quality setting. This is a value, typically from 1 to 100, that tells the compression algorithm how much detail to preserve.

A higher number retains more data (better quality) but produces a larger file. A lower number reduces the file size but can introduce visible compression artifacts. Finding the right balance is the key to successful conversion.

Finding the Sweet Spot for JPG Quality

Where should you set the quality level?

For most web use cases, a quality setting between 75 and 85 is a practical range. This generally produces a clean image without an excessively large file. If you go below 70, you may start to see noticeable compression artifacts, such as blockiness or color banding. This is especially apparent in images with smooth gradients, like skies.

Aiming for a quality of 75-85 generally provides the best balance, ensuring your images look professional online without slowing down your site.

To Keep or Ditch Metadata?

Another factor affecting file size is metadata. This is extra data stored in the image file, such as camera settings, GPS location, and copyright information, often called EXIF (Exchangeable Image File Format) data.

When you convert from AVIF, you have two options:

• Preserve Metadata — Useful for photographers who rely on camera data or for archiving images where context is important.
• Strip Metadata — Removing this data can reduce the file size by a few kilobytes. It is also a good practice for privacy, as it removes potentially sensitive information like the location where a photo was taken.

Remember, the goal is not to make the JPG as small as the original AVIF. That is unrealistic without significant quality degradation. Instead, you are aiming for a universally compatible JPG that looks good and is as small as practical.

Ultimately, converting an AVIF to a JPG involves making informed choices. By adjusting the quality and managing metadata, you can create a final file that suits your specific needs.

When to Consider Compression After Conversion

Because JPG files are typically larger than their AVIF counterparts, you may want to compress them further after conversion. This is especially useful when you need to meet strict file size requirements for email attachments, web uploads, or storage constraints.

Compress.FAST offers specialized JPG compression that can reduce file sizes by 20-40% without noticeable quality loss. This is a good next step after conversion if file size remains a concern.

Your AVIF to JPG Conversion Questions Answered

Here are direct answers to common questions about converting AVIF to JPG.