What is .tiff?
.tiff (Tagged Image File Format) is a versatile raster graphics format popular among graphic artists, the publishing industry, and photographers. It is known for its high-quality, lossless compression, making it the standard for storing images that require editing without quality loss.
This quick guide explains when to use .tiff files, how to open them on any device, and how to share them instantly with FileXhost.
When to use .tiff files
- You need to print high-quality photos or documents.
- You are scanning documents or artwork for archival purposes.
- You are working in professional desktop publishing or graphic design.
- You need to store images with layers or multiple pages in a single file.
How to open .tiff files
TIFF files can be opened by most professional image editing software and some operating system viewers. However, they are not natively supported by most web browsers. You can upload .tiff files to FileXhost to view them directly in your browser or convert them to more web-friendly formats like JPG or PNG.
Algorithm details
TIFF is a container format that can hold compressed or uncompressed image data. It supports various compression schemes, including LZW (Lempel-Ziv-Welch), Deflate, and JPEG. Unlike standard JPEG files, TIFFs using JPEG compression can store high-bit-depth data. TIFF also supports multi-page documents, layers, and extensive metadata via tags.
Browser & platform support
- Desktop: Not natively supported by most modern browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge). Safari has some support.
- Mobile: Limited native support. Often requires a dedicated viewer app.
- OS: Native support on macOS (Preview) and Windows (Photos).
Format comparison
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| File Size | Significantly larger than JPG and PNG due to lossless compression or lack of compression. |
| Quality | Extremely high. Supports high color depths (up to 32-bit) and CMYK color space for printing. |
| Flexibility | Can store multiple images (pages) and layers in a single file. |
| Web Use | Poor. Large file sizes and lack of browser support make it unsuitable for direct web display. |
How to create tiff files
- Scanners: Default high-quality format for many scanners.
- Cameras: Some professional cameras shoot in TIFF (though RAW is more common now).
- Design Software: Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator.
- Converters: Save As TIFF from almost any image editor.
How to convert tiff files
- FileXhost: Upload TIFFs to view them online or share them as web links.
- Desktop: Open in macOS Preview or Windows Photos and Export to JPG/PNG/PDF.
- Online tools: CloudConvert, Zamzar.
- CLI: ImageMagick (convert input.tiff output.jpg).
Advantages & disadvantages
Advantages
- Lossless quality ideal for archiving and printing
- Supports CMYK color space for professional printing
- Supports layers and transparency
- Can contain multiple pages (like a PDF)
- Wide support in professional software
Disadvantages
- Very large file sizes
- Not supported by web browsers
- Not suitable for email or web sharing
Tools & software
Viewers
macOS Preview, Windows Photos, IrfanView, XnView
Editors
Adobe Photoshop, GIMP, Affinity Photo, CorelDRAW
Converters
FileXhost, Adobe Acrobat (for PDF), ImageMagick
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between .tiff and .tif?
There is no difference. .tif is just the three-letter abbreviation of .tiff, a legacy from older file systems that only supported three-letter extensions. Both are the same format.
Why are TIFF files so large?
TIFF files often use lossless compression or no compression at all to preserve maximum image quality. They also support high color depths and multiple layers, which adds to the file size.
Can I convert TIFF to PDF?
Yes, TIFFs are often used for scanned documents and can be easily converted to PDF. Since TIFF supports multiple pages, a multi-page TIFF can be converted directly into a multi-page PDF.
Is TIFF better than JPG?
For editing and printing, yes, because TIFF is lossless and supports higher quality. For web use and sharing, no, because JPG is much smaller and universally compatible.
Technical specs
- File type
- Image
- Extension
- .tiff
- MIME type
- image/tiff, image/tif
- Compression
- Lossless
- Max file size on FileXhost
- Up to 25 MB per file on the free plan and up to 1 GB on Pro FileXhost accounts.
Share .tiff files instantly
Upload your .tiff file to FileXhost to get a clean, shareable URL in seconds. View the file in a modern browser, protect access with optional settings, and let others download it without any confusing ads or cluttered file pages.
Upload .tiff file