AIFF Audio Format: What It Is and How to Convert to MP3
AIFF (Audio Interchange File Format) is Apple's native lossless audio format. If you work on macOS or use Logic Pro, GarageBand, or Final Cut Pro, you've almost certainly encountered it. This guide explains what it is and how to convert it.
What is AIFF?
AIFF was developed by Apple in 1988, based on Electronic Arts' IFF format. It's Apple's equivalent of Microsoft's WAV: both are containers for uncompressed PCM audio.
- Extensions:
.aiffor.aif - Audio: uncompressed PCM, up to 32-bit / 192 kHz
- Metadata: supports markers, loops, and comments
- Compatibility: excellent on macOS/iOS; Windows requires Apple Music or QuickTime
AIFF vs WAV: what's the difference?
| Aspect | AIFF | WAV |
|---|---|---|
| Created by | Apple (1988) | Microsoft/IBM (1991) |
| Native system | macOS, iOS | Windows |
| Byte order | Big-endian | Little-endian |
| Metadata | Markers, loops | ID3v2 with extension |
| Quality | Identical (both uncompressed PCM) | Identical |
| Compatibility | Universal with current software | Universal |
In practice, AIFF and WAV are equivalent in quality. The difference is historical and ecosystem-based.
Why do AIFF files appear?
- Logic Pro and GarageBand exports: these Apple DAWs use AIFF by default
- Final Cut Pro: audio exports may be AIFF
- CDs ripped on Mac (earlier era): iTunes generated AIFF before ALAC became popular
- Professional samples and loops: many sample libraries come in AIFF with loop markers
How to convert AIFF to MP3
Online
- Go to KaijuConverter — AIFF to MP3
- Upload the AIFF file
- Choose bitrate (192 or 320 kbps recommended)
- Download the MP3
With FFmpeg
# AIFF → MP3 at 192 kbps
ffmpeg -i audio.aiff -codec:a libmp3lame -b:a 192k audio.mp3
# AIFF → MP3 at 320 kbps (highest MP3 quality)
ffmpeg -i audio.aiff -codec:a libmp3lame -b:a 320k audio.mp3
# AIFF → AAC (native Apple format, smaller than MP3 at equal quality)
ffmpeg -i audio.aiff -codec:a aac -b:a 256k audio.m4a
# Batch conversion
for f in *.aiff; do ffmpeg -i "$f" -codec:a libmp3lame -b:a 192k "${f%.aiff}.mp3"; done
With iTunes / Apple Music (macOS)
- Add the AIFF file to Apple Music library
- Preferences → Import Settings → Encoder: MP3
- Select the AIFF files → right-click → Create MP3 Version
AIFF vs ALAC: which to use for Apple lossless archiving
If you want lossless archiving in the Apple ecosystem, ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec) takes less space than AIFF while maintaining identical quality:
# AIFF → ALAC (lossless, smaller file)
ffmpeg -i audio.aiff -codec:a alac audio.m4a
ALAC compresses AIFF by 40–60% without quality loss, similar to what FLAC does for WAV.
When to keep AIFF
- If you work in Logic Pro or Final Cut Pro — these Apple DAWs handle AIFF natively and can use its loop markers
- For project archiving where you need to preserve session data exactly
- If the file has cue markers or loop points you need to preserve (MP3 doesn't support these natively)
AIFF compatibility on Windows
AIFF on Windows requires:
- Apple Music / iTunes: opens AIFF natively
- VLC: plays AIFF without issues
- Audacity: imports and edits AIFF directly
- foobar2000: with appropriate plugin
Windows native players (Windows Media Player) don't support AIFF without additional codecs.
Related conversions
Audio format pairs that come up most often: