“What do you mean you can’t see my photo?” Sound familiar?

You just sent that perfect snapshot to your colleague, but all they got was an error message. After a bit of head-scratching, you realize your image is in AVIF format. You probably love it for saving space, but half the internet can’t seem to open. So, you need to convert the image into a more accessible format before resending it.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through converting AVIF to PNG files using Zight’s free online tool.

And here’s a pro tip: you can even use Zight’s screenshot tool to capture images directly as PNGs to avoid these compatibility headaches altogether.

Is PNG Better than AVIF Files?

When choosing between image formats, you want to understand their strengths and limitations to determine if you should use them for your specific needs.

PNG (Portable Network Graphics) and AVIF (AV1 Image File Format) represent two different approaches to digital image storage—one established and universally compatible, the other a modern image format with cutting-edge compression technology.

Let’s compare them here:

How to Convert AVIF to PNG with Zight

Zight offers a number of conversion tools you can use to recreate content in your desired formats. One of these is the AVIF to PNG online converter here: https://zight.com/tools/avif-to-png-converter/.

You can access it on any device with an internet connection. The interface is simple and easy to use – you can instantly convert an AVIF file while maintaining superior image quality as follows:

1. Step 1: Upload The AVIF File

Click the “Choose File” button in the drop zone area, or simply drag and drop your AVIF image directly into the outlined box. The file browser will open when you click the button, allowing you to locate and select your AVIF file from your device’s storage.

Step 2: Wait for Conversion

Zight automatically begins converting your file. A progress bar shows the conversion status – typically completed within seconds, even for larger images.

Step 3: Download Your PNG File

After conversion, a download button appears. Click it to save your newly converted PNG file to your device.

The file will be placed in your default downloads folder and ready for immediate use. From there, you can upload the file to your recipient without any compatibility issues since PNG is supported across virtually all platforms, applications, and devices.

Pro Tip: Skip Conversion with Zight’s Screenshot Tool

If you find converting AVIF files to PNG a lot of work, how about you just resort to using Zight’s screenshot tool for image capture? The good thing is that Zight will capture and save your files in the desired output format, with other added benefits, such as:

• Instant sharing via copyable links instead of sending attachments. If you like this style better, you can even use this free Zight tool to create custom, trackable links!
• Professional annotations, including text, shapes, arrows, stickers, and redaction tools
• Multiple capture methods for exactly what you need
• Cloud storage so you never lose important screenshots

Here’s how to capture screenshots in the Portable Network Graphics (PNG) format now:

1. Step 1: Download and Install Zight

Zight’s screenshot tool is available for Mac, Windows, iOS, and as a Chrome extension. Just open the website, create a free account, and download the compatible app for your device.

Step 2: Initiate Screenshot Capture

When you’re ready to capture a screenshot, click the Screenshot button (camera icon) in the Zight toolbar. On Windows, you can also use the keyboard shortcut Alt+⇧+5, while Mac users can press Command+⇧+5. This activates Zight’s screenshot mode, transforms your cursor, and prepares the screen for capture.

On the Zight app, simply click and drag your mouse to select the exact region you want to capture. But if you’re using the Chrome extension, click and drag your mouse to select a region or:

• Press the ‘Space’ key to capture the visible screen
• Press ‘E’ to take a scrolling screenshot or full-page screenshot
• Press ‘D’ to take a screenshot of the desktop

Step 3: Enhance with Annotations

After capturing, Zight automatically opens the image on an intuitive editor, where you can annotate your screenshot.

Add clarifying text, draw attention with colorful arrows, highlight important information with shapes, or protect sensitive information with the redaction tool. After you annotate, click ‘Save,’ and you’ll be ready to share the image as follows:

Step 4: Share Your Image

Zight offers two flexible sharing options:

Firstly, you can generate a shareable link with a single click—perfect for team collaboration as recipients won’t need to download attachments.

On your Zight editor, click ‘Copy Link,’ to paste the link and share the image anywhere online – chat forums, productivity tools, social media, etc. Here’s how to capture screenshots and send them directly to Slack.

Alternatively, you can download your screenshot as a universally compatible PNG file that will open correctly on any device or platform. On your Zight preview page, click ‘More,’ and you’ll find a ‘Download’ button on the pop-up menu. Alternatively, click the downward-facing download arrow below your screenshot to save the file on your device.

Conclusion

Now you know how to use the free AVIF to PNG converter from Zight. You will be able to convert files in as little as three seconds, which is fast and effective.

While you can’t batch-convert AVIF files with this tool, you can instead use the Zight screenshot tool to create PNG files that won’t need conversion. As we’ve discussed, this is also a straightforward process that also comes with nice perks like cloud storage and instant image sharing via links. So, get started with Zight for free today and start capturing!