AV2 Specification

AV2 Specification
Video Codec Working Group (VCWG)

About AV2

AV2 is the next-generation video coding specification from the Alliance for Open Media (AOMedia). Building on the foundation of AV1, AV2 is engineered to provide superior compression efficiency, enabling high-quality video delivery at significantly lower bitrates. It is optimized for the evolving demands of streaming, broadcasting, and real-time video conferencing.

This specification serves as the definitive technical reference for AV2 implementations. It outlines the bitstream syntax, semantics, and decoding processes required to ensure full conformance.

AV2 provides enhanced support for AR/VR applications, split-screen delivery of multiple programs, improved handling of screen content, and an ability to operate over a wider visual quality range.

To assist implementers, the AOMedia Video Model (AVM) serves as the official reference software.

Feedback

We welcome feedback and issue reports via email at
wg-codec-chair@aomedia.org,
or by filing an issue on the
AVM issue tracker.

Available Versions

AV2 specification and reference code — v1.0.0Current release
28 May 2026

The AV2 Bitstream & Decoding Process Specification, version 1.0.0, with corresponding AVM reference software.

Read Online
Download PDF
Additional Tables
Syntax Browser
Software

AV2 working draft (v13)Superseded
5 January 2026

An earlier development draft, superseded by v1.0.0. The "v13" label denotes a
working-draft milestone and does not indicate a version newer than 1.0.0.
Retained here for reference.

Read Online
Additional Tables
Syntax Browser
Software
Release Notes

Using the Specification
Full Specification

The complete AV2 coding specification document includes all sections from scope and definitions
through annexes. It provides comprehensive coverage of the format, syntax, semantics, and decoding process.

PDF Version

A self-contained PDF of the complete v1.0.0 specification is available for download and offline reference.

Additional Tables

The Additional Tables are extracted lookup tables from section 9 as C header files, useful for implementation reference.

Syntax Browser

The syntax browser provides a specialized view of Sections 5 (Syntax Structures) and
6 (Semantics) in a split-pane interface. Features include:

Side-by-side view of syntax definitions and their semantics
Clickable syntax elements for easy navigation
Search functionality across both sections
Copy-to-clipboard for syntax structures

Reference Software

The reference software, known as AVM, corresponding to this version of the specification is the v1.0.0 tag.

© 2026 Alliance for Open Media. All rights reserved.
For more information, visit aomedia.org

The AV2 specification is the next-generation video coding standard developed by the Video Codec Working Group within the Alliance for Open Media (AOMedia). This specification is built upon the foundation of AV1, aiming to deliver superior compression efficiency that allows for high-quality video transmission at significantly reduced bitrates. AV2 is engineered to meet the demands of evolving media delivery systems, specifically optimizing performance for streaming, broadcasting, and real-time video conferencing.

The specification functions as the definitive technical reference, detailing the required bitstream syntax, semantics, and the entire decoding process necessary for full compliance. Furthermore, AV2 incorporates enhancements that extend its capabilities beyond basic compression, providing improved support for advanced applications such as augmented and virtual reality, split-screen delivery of multiple programs, refined handling of screen content, and operation across a broader visual quality spectrum. To aid developers and implementers, the AOMedia Video Model, or AVM, serves as the official reference software corresponding to this specification.

For implementation reference, the official release is version 1.0.0, released on May 28, 2026, which includes the AV2 Bitstream & Decoding Process Specification along with the corresponding AVM reference software. Although earlier development drafts, such as version 13, exist, they have been superseded by the current 1.0.0 release. The complete specification document provides comprehensive coverage of the format, syntax, semantics, and the decoding mechanics. Additional resources are provided, including extracted lookup tables from section nine, which are formatted as C header files useful for implementation, and a syntax browser that offers a specialized, split-pane view of the syntax structures and their semantics, supporting navigation, search, and copy functionality. Feedback regarding the specification is welcomed through designated email channels or the AVM issue tracker.