What is a TIFF file?
TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) is a flexible high-quality format used in photography, scanning and print production. It was introduced in 1986 by Aldus / Adobe.
What TIFF is good at
- Lossless quality for print
- Supports layers, 16-bit and CMYK
- Standard for scanners and archives
Where TIFF falls short
- Very large files
- Browsers can't display it
When to use TIFF
- Print and publishing
- Document scanning
- Archiving master images
Where TIFF files open
TIFF files open in Photoshop, Lightroom, Preview, Windows Photos and print software.
TIFF compared with PNG
TIFF or PNG? TIFF is best for print and publishing. PNG is best for screenshots and UI graphics. Convert TIFF to PNG or convert PNG to TIFF.
Frequently asked questions
What is a TIFF file?
TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) is a flexible high-quality format used in photography, scanning and print production. It was introduced in 1986 by Aldus / Adobe.
What are the advantages of TIFF?
Lossless quality for print; supports layers, 16-bit and cmyk; standard for scanners and archives.
What are the drawbacks of TIFF?
Very large files; browsers can't display it.
What programs open TIFF files?
TIFF files open in Photoshop, Lightroom, Preview, Windows Photos and print software.
How do I convert a TIFF file?
Choose the TIFF converter you need from the list on this page, drop in your file and press Convert. You get your new file in seconds, free and without sign-up.