TIFF File

Tagged Image File Format (.tiff / .tif)

What is a TIFF file?

A TIFF file is a high-quality image format often used in scanning, printing, and professional graphics. TIFF can store images with lossless compression (or no compression), multiple pages, and rich metadata—so files can be large but very detailed.

Common uses

High-resolution scans and archival images
Print and publishing workflows
Professional photography and editing
Storing images with lossless quality
Multi-page scanned documents (some TIFFs)

How to open a TIFF file

View: Many image viewers support TIFF
Edit: Photoshop, GIMP, Affinity Photo, etc.
Convert: Convert to JPG/PNG/PDF depending on your goal
Tip: If it’s multi-page, use a viewer that supports multi-page TIFF

Common problems

Large file sizes
Some apps don’t support all TIFF variants
Multi-page TIFF not shown correctly in basic viewers
Color profiles can look different across software
Web uploads may reject TIFF (JPG/PNG required)

History

TIFF has been used for decades in professional imaging because it’s flexible and supports high fidelity. It remains common in scanning and print workflows where quality and metadata matter.