GIMP handles AVIF images. The free desktop editor added import and export in version 2.10.22, built on the libheif library. You can open an AVIF, edit it, and save it back as AVIF, JPG, or PNG. The steps are direct and repeatable.

How to Open an AVIF File in GIMP

Opening an AVIF file works like opening any other image. Use File > Open or press Ctrl+O. Navigate to your .avif file, select it, and click Open. The image lands in the workspace as a layer-based project ready to edit.

If the file will not open, your GIMP build probably lacks the required AV1 decoder. Some Linux builds omit it when the libheif library was compiled without AV1 codec backing. On Windows and macOS, the official GIMP installer bundles the necessary libraries, so AVIF handling works straight away. On Linux, confirm your package manager supplied a GIMP with libheif and AV1 codec backing, or compile GIMP from source with those dependencies.

Once open, the image appears as a single layer. Add layers, apply filters, adjust colors. Every standard GIMP editing operation is available.

Editing AVIF Files in GIMP

GIMP treats an AVIF the same as a JPEG or a PNG. Crop, rotate, adjust brightness and contrast, apply filters, clone, heal. The full toolkit works. GIMP runs free on Windows, macOS and Linux. It is a capable AVIF editor for anyone who wants to modify these images without paying for software.

Layer Management and Alpha Channels

AVIF carries transparency. GIMP preserves the alpha channel when you open the file. Add new transparent layers, erase parts of the image, use layer masks. When you export back to AVIF, the transparency survives if you pick a format that holds alpha. AVIF and PNG both do. JPG does not.

Color Profiles and Bit Depth

GIMP respects embedded ICC profiles during editing and uses them for display. Convert between color spaces from the Colors menu. AVIF supports high bit depths, but GIMP works in 8-bit per channel. Opening a high-bit-depth AVIF triggers a conversion to 8-bit. For most work this is fine. If you need to keep the full bit depth, run a dedicated raw editor before importing into GIMP.

Exporting AVIF to JPG or PNG

To export your edited image, use File > Export As or press Shift+Ctrl+E. In the Export Image dialog, type the filename with the extension you want. The extension you type sets the format. Type myimage.jpg to get a JPEG. Type myimage.png to get a PNG.

After you click Export, GIMP shows a format-specific dialog. For JPG, set the quality level. For PNG, set the compression level and choose whether to save transparency. Both formats are widely compatible.

Export AVIF to JPG

  1. With your image open, go to File > Export As or press Shift+Ctrl+E.
  2. In the Export Image dialog, type a filename ending with .jpg.
  3. Choose a destination folder and click Export.
  4. In the Export Image as JPEG dialog, adjust the quality slider. Higher values balance quality and file size well.
  5. Click Export to save the JPG file.

Export AVIF to PNG

  1. Go to File > Export As or press Shift+Ctrl+E.
  2. Type a filename ending with .png.
  3. Click Export.
  4. In the Export Image as PNG dialog, set compression level and check “Save color values from transparent pixels” if you need transparency.
  5. Click Export to save the PNG file.

File > Save writes only GIMP's XCF project format. Always use Export As to create a standard image file.

Exporting Back to AVIF in GIMP

To save your edited file as an AVIF image, use Export As and type a filename ending with .avif. GIMP's AVIF export dialog offers a lossless checkbox and a quality slider. Higher quality values produce larger files. Enable lossless mode to save without compression artifacts. Expect a much larger file than a lossy export.

Export to AVIF

  1. Go to File > Export As or press Shift+Ctrl+E.
  2. Type a filename ending with .avif.
  3. Click Export.
  4. In the Export Image as AVIF dialog, choose a quality value. Check the Lossless box if you want a perfect copy.
  5. Click Export to save the AVIF file.

The export relies on the libheif library. The resulting file works in other applications that handle AVIF. Exporting a photo with transparency? Keep the alpha channel enabled in the export settings. AVIF holds it.

Troubleshooting AVIF Handling in GIMP

When GIMP refuses to open or export AVIF files, missing library backing is the usual culprit. Here are the common fixes:

  • GIMP version is too old. AVIF handling arrived in version 2.10.22. Check your version under Help > About. If it is older, download the latest release from the official GIMP website.
  • Linux build missing libheif. Some distributions package GIMP without it. Install the required package (libheif1 on Debian/Ubuntu) or use a Flatpak or Snap version of GIMP that bundles full backing.
  • libheif built without AV1 codec. Even with libheif installed, a build lacking an AV1 decoder blocks AVIF read and write. Use your package manager to install a libheif version that includes AV1 codec backing, or build libheif from source with the AV1 codec enabled.
  • Windows or macOS. The official installers from gimp.org ship every necessary library. If you installed GIMP from a third-party source, switch to the official installer.

Alternatives When GIMP Cannot Handle AVIF

If you cannot get AVIF working in GIMP, or you need a simpler tool for a quick conversion, use a dedicated online converter. avif.tools converts AVIF to and from JPG, PNG and WebP without installing software. It runs in a browser and handles the conversion on its servers. No library compatibility to chase on your own machine.

For a desktop alternative, Krita and XnView MP also handle AVIF. If you prefer to stay with GIMP, get the correct build as described in the troubleshooting section.