What does TIFF stand for and what is it?
TIFF stands for Tagged Image File Format. It is a rasterformat — like PNG and JPG, it stores an image as a grid of pixels rather than as mathematical shapes. What sets it apart is its flexibility: a TIFF file is built from "tags" that describe how the image data is stored, which lets a single format support an unusually wide range of options — different colour spaces, bit depths, compression schemes, layers, and even multiple pages in one file. First developed in the 1980s and long associated with desktop publishing and scanners, it remains a staple of professional imaging workflows.
Why is TIFF lossless, and why are the files so big?
TIFF is normally stored losslessly, meaning it keeps every pixel exactly as captured with no quality thrown away. You can apply LZW compression to shrink the file somewhat, but because LZW is lossless it cannot match the dramatic size reductions of a lossy format like JPG. Combine that with high bit depth — 16 bits per channel rather than the usual 8 — plus CMYK channels, layers, or many pages, and TIFF files become very large indeed. A single high-resolution scan or print-ready image can run to tens or hundreds of megabytes. That is the deliberate trade-off: maximum fidelity in exchange for size.
Where is TIFF used in print and professional work?
TIFF is the format of choice wherever quality and accuracy matter more than file size. In print and publishing it carries CMYK colour data that maps directly to printing inks, which is something web formats like PNG cannot natively do. In scanning and archival it stores documents and photographs at full fidelity, often as multi-page files, making it a common choice for libraries, museums, and document-management systems preserving originals for the long term. Professional photographers and retouchers also lean on TIFF because it can hold layered, high-bit-depth edits without compounding compression damage every time the file is saved.
How does TIFF compare to PNG?
The honest answer is that TIFF and PNG have more in common than you might expect: both are lossless raster formats, so neither discards image data when you save, and both can carry an alpha channel for transparency. The differences are about purpose. PNG was designed for the web — it is compact, renders natively in every browser, and is the go-to format for transparent graphics, icons, and screenshots. TIFF was designed for professional output — it supports CMYK, high bit depth, layers, and multi-page documents that PNG simply does not, but in return it produces far larger files and has effectively no browser support. PNG is the on-screen format; TIFF is the print and archival format. For a side-by-side breakdown, see PNG vs TIFF.
When should you use TIFF and when should you use PNG?
Reach for TIFF when the file is headed for print, when you are scanning or archiving originals at full quality, or when you need CMYK, 16-bit colour, layers, or multiple pages in one file. Reach for PNG when the image is destined for a website, an app, an email, or any screen — especially when you need a transparent background or a small, fast-loading file. If you find yourself wanting to put a TIFF on a web page, that is the clearest sign you should be converting it to PNG instead.
Converting TIFF for everyday use
Because browsers don't display TIFF, you'll often need a web-friendly copy. Whatever the format you're starting from, you can browse the full set of free, private, in-browser converters and editors on the tools page to produce a PNG, JPG, or WebP version that loads anywhere — while keeping your pristine TIFF as the master archive copy.
Frequently asked questions
- Why are TIFF files so large?
- TIFF is lossless and often stores high bit-depth, CMYK, multiple layers, or several pages in one file. Even when LZW compression is applied it stays large because nothing is thrown away, so a single high-resolution scan can run to tens or hundreds of megabytes.
- Can I use a TIFF on a website?
- Not directly. Browsers do not render TIFF natively, so it has effectively no web support. For the web you would convert the TIFF to a format like PNG, JPG, or WebP first.
- Is TIFF lossless like PNG?
- Yes. Both TIFF and PNG are lossless, so neither discards image data when you save. The difference is purpose: PNG targets the web and on-screen use with transparency, while TIFF targets print, scanning, and archival with CMYK and high bit depth.
- Does TIFF support transparency?
- It can. TIFF supports an alpha channel for transparency, but transparency is far more commonly used with PNG, since PNG was designed for web graphics where transparent backgrounds matter most.
- Can a TIFF hold more than one image?
- Yes. A multi-page TIFF can store many images in a single file, which is why it is a favourite for scanned documents, faxes, and document archives where each page is one frame in the file.