Image format
What is a .tiff file?
TIFF is an image format for print, scanning and archiving. It can keep images without loss at high bit depths, in CMYK, and with several pages in one file.
Files are large and most browsers don’t display them, so TIFF is a format for working and storing rather than for sharing.
fileclay opens and writes TIFF
TIFF vs PNG vs JPG
| TIFF | PNG | JPG | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compression | Lossless, usually | Lossless | Lossy |
| CMYK | Yes | No | Yes |
| Several pages | Yes | No | No |
| Browsers | Safari only | All | All |
| Best for | Print, scans, archives | Graphics, screenshots | Photos |
When to use TIFF
Good for
- Press printing
- Scans you want to preserve
- Master copies of photos
Not a good fit
- Websites: most browsers won’t show it
- Email: files are very large
- Everyday photo sharing
How to open .tiff files
| Platform | App | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | Photos | Built in |
| macOS | Preview | Built in |
| Browsers | Safari | Chrome, Firefox and Edge don’t display it |
| Editors | Photoshop, GIMP, Affinity Photo | Opens and saves |
Convert TIFF files
How to identify a .tiff file
TIFF files start with II or MM, which say the byte order, followed by the number 42. This is the II version, the most common one.
It’s read here, in your browser. Only the first bytes.
Your file
What comes after
Questions about TIFF
Is TIFF lossless?
Usually, but it depends on the compression: a TIFF can also contain JPEG data.
What is the difference between TIF and TIFF?
None. It’s the same format with a shorter extension.
Why are TIFF files so large?
They often keep every pixel with little or no compression.
Is TIFF better than PNG?
For print, yes: it has CMYK and several pages. For the web, PNG is the one that works.