TIFF vs AVIF
How do TIFF and AVIFcompare? Here's everything you need to know to choose the right format — and how to convert between them.
.tiff
Full guide →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.
.avif
Full guide →AV1 Image File Format
AVIF is a next-generation image format based on the AV1 video codec. It offers the best compression ratios available today — significantly better than WebP and JPG — while being royalty-free and open source.
| Specification | TIFF | AVIF |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Tagged Image File Format | AV1 Image File Format |
| Extension | .tiff | .avif |
| MIME type | image/tiff | image/avif |
| Category | Image | Image |
| Developer | Aldus Corporation (now Adobe) | Alliance for Open Media |
| Year introduced | 1986 | 2019 |
| Compression | Lossless | Lossy |
TIFF advantages
- Lossless quality — industry standard for print
- Supports layers, pages, and metadata
- High bit depth (up to 64-bit)
- Flexible compression options
TIFF limitations
- Very large file sizes
- Not supported in web browsers
- Complex format with many variations
- Slow to process compared to simpler formats
AVIF advantages
- Best-in-class compression efficiency
- Royalty-free and open source
- Supports HDR, wide color gamut, and transparency
- Both lossy and lossless modes
AVIF limitations
- Slow encoding speed
- Growing but incomplete browser support
- Limited editing software support
- Relatively new format
Which should you use?
Choose TIFF when you need lossless quality, transparency, or sharp graphics. Choose AVIF when file size matters more than pixel-perfect quality — like photos for the web.
Best uses for TIFF
Best uses for AVIF
Convert between TIFF and AVIF
Need to switch formats? Convert for free with SquishConvert.