TIFF (Tagged Image File Format)
TIFF is the lossless archival format used by scanners, print shops and professional photographers.
- File extension
- .tiff, .tif
- MIME type
- image/tiff
- Compression
- Lossless
- Transparency
- Yes, full alpha channel
- Animation
- No
- Type
- Raster (pixels)
Where TIFF files come from
Scanners, fax systems, print workflows and professional photo software.
Standard in print and archival software; unsupported in every web browser.
What TIFF is good at
- Lossless and high bit depth — the standard for archiving and printing
- Can hold multiple pages, layers and rich metadata
- The expected deliverable format for most commercial print work
Where TIFF falls short
- No browser will display it, so it is useless on the web
- Very large files
- So many optional variants that readers disagree on what is valid
Should you use TIFF?
Use it when the image must survive editing and re-saving without degrading, or when transparency matters. Avoid it for large photographs that only need to be viewed, where a lossy format will be a fraction of the size with no visible difference.
Convert from TIFF
Convert to TIFF
Frequently asked questions
What is TIFF (Tagged Image File Format)?
TIFF is the lossless archival format used by scanners, print shops and professional photographers. Standard in print and archival software; unsupported in every web browser.
How do I open TIFF files?
Any tool that lists TIFF support will open one. If yours will not, the quickest fix is to convert it to a format your software already understands — the converters linked on this page do that in your browser without uploading the file.
Is TIFF lossy or lossless?
TIFF is lossless — every pixel is stored exactly, and re-saving it repeatedly costs you nothing in quality. The trade-off is a larger file.
Does TIFF support transparency?
Yes, TIFF carries a full alpha channel, so soft edges and drop shadows survive intact. Converting to a format without alpha — JPG most commonly — flattens those areas onto a solid colour.