What is a TIFF file?
TIFF is a flexible, lossless image format from 1986 that is still the standard in printing, publishing, scanning and archiving. It keeps full quality and high bit depths, at the cost of large files.
- Full name
- Tagged Image File Format
- File extensions
- .tiff, .tif
- MIME type
- image/tiff
- Type
- Raster image
- Compression
- Lossless (or uncompressed)
- Transparency
- Supported, rarely used
- Animation
- No
- Format Hero support
- Convert from and to
What TIFF is used for
Scanned documents and photos, print and publishing workflows, professional photography, and long-term archives.
Strengths
Lossless quality, high bit depth, and acceptance by print shops and professional software.
Weaknesses
Very large files, and no browser other than Safari can display TIFF, so it's impractical for the web or email.
Compatibility
Photoshop, GIMP, Affinity, macOS Preview, Windows Photos and print workflows all handle TIFF. Only Safari displays it in a web page.
Convert TIFF to another format
Convert other formats to TIFF
Questions
How do I open a TIFF file?
Use Windows Photos, macOS Preview or any image editor. Most browsers will download it rather than display it.
Is TIFF lossy or lossless?
TIFF is lossless: every pixel is stored exactly.
Does TIFF support transparency?
Yes. TIFF supports full transparency, including soft edges and shadows.
Can I convert TIFF files without uploading them?
Yes. Format Hero converts TIFF files in your browser, on your own device, so they're never sent to a server. It's free, needs no sign-up and adds no watermark.