What is TIFF?
TIFF stands for “Tag Image File Format”. It is a complex file format for storing one or more bitmapped images in multiple colourspaces using several different forms of compression. The file name extension for TIFF files is: .tif, .tiff
What are its features?
TIFF files maintain high quality as they employ lossless compression, ensuring that every pixel and detail is preserved. They are also an adaptable file format as they support multiple layers and can be tailored so are popular amongst graphic designers and photographers. Similarly, they not just black and white. The image format supports a spectrum of color depths, including monochrome, grayscale and 24-bit color. TIFF files are compatible with a range of software applications including Adobe Photoshop and GIMP.
What is the format used for?
Tiff has various different uses, one of the most common is for CAD (Computer-Aided Design). Designers and engineers can export CAD drawings to TIFF format and still maintain high image and quality.
TIFF vs PNG: The pros and cons
TIFF and PNG have distinct advantages and disadvantages. It excels in preserving high-resolution images and is suitable for professional photography and graphic design but has larger file sizes. PNG, on the other hand, is more efficient for web use, supports transparency, and is widely compatible but may have limited color depth and does not support multiple layers.
Is it possible to convert TIFF to PNG?
Yes. You can convert TIFF to PNG and PNG to TIFF.
Is it possible to convert TIFF to PDF?
Yes. You will need to print the TIFF (most printers offer a print as PDF), export as PDF in a graphics package such as Mac Preview or use a third party tool such as our JDeli library.
How to open TIFF files in Java?
ImageIO (the built-in Java Image library) includes support for TIFF images.
Image Format Comparison and Compatibility
| Format | Description | Key Differences | Browser Support |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avif | AV1 Image File Format | Superior compression than WebP, JPEG, PNG and GIF, does not support images with noise synthesis, competes with JPEG XL | Chrome, Edge, Safari, Firefox, Opera, Chrome for Android, Safari on iOS, Samsung Internet, Opera Mobile, UC Browser for Android, Android Browser, Firefox for Android, Baidu Browser |
| BMP | Bitmap Image File Format | Store colour data without any compression, straightforward array of pixels, does not support layers or transparency | Opera, Safari, Netsurf, IE, Firefox, Chrome |
| GIF | Graphics Interchange Format | LZW lossless compression, limited to 256 colors, not efficient with anti-aliasing and gradient colour schemes | Chrome, Edge, Safari, Firefox, Opera, Chrome for Android, Safari on iOS, Samsung Internet, Opera Mobile, UC Browser for Android, Android Browser, Firefox for Android, Baidu Browser |
| HEIC | High Efficiency Image Format | Animation support, better compression than WebP, JPEG, PNG and GIF, protected by patents | Safari, Safari on iOS |
| JPEG | Joint Photographic Experts Group | Most common on the web, lossy compression, suitable for digital photography workflows, lacks transparency like PNG | Chrome, Edge, Firefox, IE, Opera, Safari, Chrome for Android, Safari on iOS, Samsung Internet, Opera Mobile, UC Browser for Android, Android Browser, Firefox for Android, Baidu Browser |
| JPEG2000 | Improved version of JPEG, supports lossless and lossy compression | Better compression efficiency than JPEG, supports lossless and lossy modes, encoding process slower than JPEG | Latest browsers do not support this format |
| JPEG XL | Replaces legacy JPEG format | Handles numerous image types, legacy friendly, performs best on high bit rates, uses XYB colour space | Safari, Safari on iOS |
| PNG | Portable Network Graphics | Lossless compression, larger file sizes for photos, supports alpha channel transparency | Chrome, Edge, Safari, Firefox, Opera, Chrome for Android, Safari on iOS, Samsung Internet, Opera Mobile, UC Browser for Android, Android Browser, Firefox for Android, Baidu Browser, QQ Browser, Kai OS Browser |
| TIFF | Tagged Image File Format | Lossless compression, supports multiple layers and channels, not ideal for documents, oriented towards print use | IE, Omni Web, Safari |
| WEBP | Developed by Google, supports both lossy and lossless compression | Smaller file sizes, adaptive approach to quantization, animation support and supports both lossy and lossless compression | Chrome, Edge, Safari, Firefox, Opera, Chrome for Android, Safari on iOS, Samsung Internet, Opera Mini, Opera Mobile, UC Browser for Android, Android Browsers, Firefox for Android, QQ Browser, Baidu Browser, Kai OS Browser |