TIFF vs HEIC
How do TIFF and HEICcompare? 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.
.heic
Full guide →High Efficiency Image Container
HEIC is Apple's preferred image format, used by iPhones and iPads since iOS 11. It delivers significantly better compression than JPG while maintaining higher quality, but compatibility remains limited outside the Apple ecosystem.
| Specification | TIFF | HEIC |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Tagged Image File Format | High Efficiency Image Container |
| Extension | .tiff | .heic |
| MIME type | image/tiff | image/heic |
| Category | Image | Image |
| Developer | Aldus Corporation (now Adobe) | MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) |
| Year introduced | 1986 | 2015 |
| 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
HEIC advantages
- 50% smaller than JPG at equivalent quality
- Supports transparency and depth maps
- Live Photos and image sequences
- 16-bit color depth
HEIC limitations
- Limited compatibility outside Apple devices
- Not natively supported by most web browsers
- Requires special decoders on Windows/Android
- Patent-encumbered format
Which should you use?
Both TIFF and HEIC have their strengths. TIFF excels at professional photography and print production, while HEIC is better for iphone and ipad photography.
Best uses for TIFF
Best uses for HEIC
Convert between TIFF and HEIC
Need to switch formats? Convert for free with SquishConvert.