How do PNG and TIFFcompare? Here's everything you need to know to choose the right format — and how to convert between them.
Portable Network Graphics
PNG is a lossless image format that supports transparency. It was created as an improved, non-patented replacement for GIF. PNG is ideal for graphics, logos, screenshots, and any image where quality preservation is critical.
Tagged Image File Format
TIFF is a flexible, high-quality image format widely used in publishing, photography, and archival. It supports lossless compression, multiple layers, and high bit depths, making it the standard for professional imaging.
| Specification | PNG | TIFF |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Portable Network Graphics | Tagged Image File Format |
| Extension | .png | .tiff |
| MIME type | image/png | image/tiff |
| Category | Image | Image |
| Developer | PNG Development Group | Aldus Corporation (now Adobe) |
| Year introduced | 1996 | 1986 |
| Compression | Lossless | Lossless |
Both PNG and TIFF have their strengths. PNG excels at website graphics and logos, while TIFF is better for professional photography and print production.
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