---
title: ".aiff file — what it is and how to open it"
description: "A .aiff file is an Audio Interchange File Format. Apple's uncompressed audio format — the Mac equivalent of WAV. How to open one on Windows, macOS and Linux, and what to convert it to."
url: https://atoneplace.net/file/aiff/
site: "At One Place"
---

# .aiff files

**.aiff file: Audio Interchange File Format**

Apple's uncompressed audio format — the Mac equivalent of WAV.

## What opens a .aiff file

- **Windows:** Media Player (built in), VLC, Audacity
- **macOS:** Music (built in), QuickTime Player (built in), GarageBand, Audacity
- **Linux:** VLC, Audacity, Rhythmbox / Music (built in)

## What a .aiff file is

AIFF was designed by Apple in 1988 and stores raw PCM audio at full quality, which makes it standard in Mac recording and music production. It handles metadata slightly better than WAV and is the same size, roughly 10 MB per stereo minute. Windows Media Player, VLC and every audio editor read it, so the format is portable despite its Apple origins.

## Converting it

A .aiff file is commonly converted to .wav, .mp3, .flac or .m4a. It is a binary format, so a text editor will show unreadable characters rather than its contents.

## Details

- **Extension:** .aiff
- **Full name:** Audio Interchange File Format
- **Category:** Audio
- **MIME type:** audio/x-aiff
- **Created by:** Apple
- **Format:** Binary

## Common questions

### How do I open a .aiff file?

On Windows use Media Player (built in); on macOS use Music (built in); on Linux use VLC. Apple's uncompressed audio format — the Mac equivalent of WAV.

### What is a .aiff file?

Audio Interchange File Format. AIFF was designed by Apple in 1988 and stores raw PCM audio at full quality, which makes it standard in Mac recording and music production. It handles metadata slightly better than WAV and is the same size, roughly 10 MB per stereo minute.

### Can I convert a .aiff file?

Yes. It is usually converted to .wav, .mp3, .flac or .m4a, either by exporting from one of the programs listed above or with a format converter.

## Related pages

- [.mp3 — MPEG-1 Audio Layer III](https://atoneplace.net/file/mp3/)
- [.wav — Waveform Audio File](https://atoneplace.net/file/wav/)
- [.m4a — MPEG-4 Audio](https://atoneplace.net/file/m4a/)
- [.flac — Free Lossless Audio Codec](https://atoneplace.net/file/flac/)
- [.aac — Advanced Audio Coding](https://atoneplace.net/file/aac/)
- [.ogg — Ogg Vorbis Audio](https://atoneplace.net/file/ogg/)
- [.opus — Opus Audio](https://atoneplace.net/file/opus/)
- [.mid — MIDI Sequence](https://atoneplace.net/file/mid/)
- [.m3u — Media Playlist](https://atoneplace.net/file/m3u/)
- [.wma — Windows Media Audio](https://atoneplace.net/file/wma/)
- [.m4b — MPEG-4 Audiobook](https://atoneplace.net/file/m4b/)
- [.amr — Adaptive Multi-Rate Audio](https://atoneplace.net/file/amr/)

## Sources

- Media Types Registry — IANA (https://www.iana.org/assignments/media-types/)
- Official vendor product documentation — At One Place (/about/)