---
title: ".tiff file — what it is and how to open it"
description: "A .tiff file is a Tagged Image File Format. The lossless, multi-page image format used in printing, scanning and archiving. How to open one on Windows, macOS and Linux, and what to convert it to."
url: https://atoneplace.net/file/tiff/
site: "At One Place"
---

# .tiff files

**.tiff file: Tagged Image File Format**

The lossless, multi-page image format used in printing, scanning and archiving.

## What opens a .tiff file

- **Windows:** Photos (built in), Windows Fax and Scan (built in), IrfanView, Adobe Photoshop
- **macOS:** Preview (built in), Photos (built in), GIMP
- **Linux:** Image Viewer / Loupe (built in), GIMP, Krita

## What a .tiff file is

TIFF dates to 1986 and ended up at Adobe, who still control the specification. It stores images without quality loss, holds many pages in one file, and carries whatever colour profile a print shop needs — which is why scanners, fax gateways and archives default to it. Files are big, and the format is so flexible that an unusual compression scheme inside can still defeat a simple viewer.

## Converting it

A .tiff file is commonly converted to .pdf, .jpg, .png or .psd. It is a binary format, so a text editor will show unreadable characters rather than its contents.

## Details

- **Extension:** .tiff
- **Full name:** Tagged Image File Format
- **Category:** Images
- **MIME type:** image/tiff
- **Created by:** Aldus / Adobe
- **Format:** Binary

## Common questions

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

On Windows use Photos (built in); on macOS use Preview (built in); on Linux use Image Viewer / Loupe (built in). The lossless, multi-page image format used in printing, scanning and archiving.

### What is a .tiff file?

Tagged Image File Format. TIFF dates to 1986 and ended up at Adobe, who still control the specification. It stores images without quality loss, holds many pages in one file, and carries whatever colour profile a print shop needs — which is why scanners, fax gateways and archives default to it.

### Can I convert a .tiff file?

Yes. It is usually converted to .pdf, .jpg, .png or .psd, either by exporting from one of the programs listed above or with a format converter.

## Related pages

- [.jpg — JPEG Image](https://atoneplace.net/file/jpg/)
- [.png — Portable Network Graphics](https://atoneplace.net/file/png/)
- [.jpeg — JPEG Image (four-letter form)](https://atoneplace.net/file/jpeg/)
- [.heic — High Efficiency Image Container](https://atoneplace.net/file/heic/)
- [.webp — WebP Image](https://atoneplace.net/file/webp/)
- [.gif — Graphics Interchange Format](https://atoneplace.net/file/gif/)
- [.psd — Adobe Photoshop Document](https://atoneplace.net/file/psd/)
- [.svg — Scalable Vector Graphics](https://atoneplace.net/file/svg/)
- [.ai — Adobe Illustrator Artwork](https://atoneplace.net/file/ai/)
- [.avif — AV1 Image File Format](https://atoneplace.net/file/avif/)
- [.raw — Camera Raw Image](https://atoneplace.net/file/raw/)
- [.ico — Windows Icon](https://atoneplace.net/file/ico/)

## Sources

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