Lossy or lossless: which compression should I use for web images?

Use lossy (JPG, WebP, AVIF) for photographs — the human eye barely notices the difference at quality 80–85, and file sizes are 5–20× smaller. Use lossless (PNG, WebP-lossless) for screenshots, UI mockups, logos and anything with sharp edges or text — lossy creates ugly artifacts around boundaries.

Does conversion preserve EXIF metadata (camera, GPS, date)?

It depends on the tool: ImageMagick and FFmpeg copy EXIF by default, while cwebp drops it unless you pass -metadata all . KaijuConverter strips metadata server-side after conversion to protect your privacy — if you need to keep camera or GPS data, use a desktop tool you control.

Lossy or lossless: which compression should I use for web images?

Use lossy (JPG, WebP, AVIF) for photographs — the human eye barely notices the difference at quality 80–85, and file sizes are 5–20× smaller. Use lossless (PNG, WebP-lossless) for screenshots, UI mockups, logos and anything with sharp edges or text — lossy creates ugly artifacts around boundaries.

Does conversion preserve EXIF metadata (camera, GPS, date)?

It depends on the tool: ImageMagick and FFmpeg copy EXIF by default, while cwebp drops it unless you pass -metadata all . KaijuConverter strips metadata server-side after conversion to protect your privacy — if you need to keep camera or GPS data, use a desktop tool you control.

Guide

TIFF/TIF Format: The Professional Imaging Standard

PC By Pablo Cirre • Updated May 7, 2026

TIFF/TIF Format: The Professional Imaging Standard

TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) was developed by Aldus Corporation in 1986, later acquired by Adobe, and has remained the gold standard for professional photography, print production, medical imaging, and document archival for nearly four decades. Unlike consumer formats that prioritize file size, TIFF prioritizes data integrity, flexibility, and interoperability — at the cost of very large file sizes. Understanding TIFF's tag-based architecture explains why it remains irreplaceable in professional workflows.

The Tag-Based Architecture

TIFF's defining feature is its use of tags — self-describing data fields that identify both the type and location of data within the file. This design makes TIFF extraordinarily extensible and forward-compatible.

File Structure

A TIFF file begins with an Image File Header (IFH):

Bytes 0-1:   Byte order   'II' (Intel/little-endian) or 'MM' (Motorola/big-endian)
Bytes 2-3:   Magic number  42 (0x002A) — identifies the file as TIFF
Bytes 4-7:   Offset        Pointer to the first Image File Directory (IFD)

The Image File Directory (IFD) is a table of tag entries:

Bytes 0-1:   Number of directory entries
[Repeated for each tag:]
  Bytes 0-1: Tag ID         (e.g., 256 = ImageWidth, 257 = ImageLength)
  Bytes 2-3: Data type      (1=BYTE, 2=ASCII, 3=SHORT, 4=LONG, 5=RATIONAL...)
  Bytes 4-7: Count          (number of values)
  Bytes 8-11: Value/Offset  (value if ≤4 bytes, else offset to data location)
Bytes N-N+3: Offset to next IFD (0 if last IFD)

Multiple IFDs in one TIFF file = multiple images (pages in a multi-page TIFF, or thumbnail + full-resolution pairs).

Essential TIFF Tags

Tag ID	Name	Description
256	ImageWidth	Width in pixels
257	ImageLength	Height in pixels
258	BitsPerSample	Bit depth per channel (8, 16, 32)
259	Compression	1=None, 5=LZW, 6=JPEG, 7=JPEG-2, 32773=PackBits
262	PhotometricInterpretation	0=WhiteIsZero, 1=BlackIsZero, 2=RGB, 5=CMYK, 6=YCbCr, 8=CIELab
270	ImageDescription	Free-text description
271	Make	Camera manufacturer
272	Model	Camera model
274	Orientation	1=normal, 6=90° CW, 8=90° CCW, etc.
277	SamplesPerPixel	Channels: 1=grayscale, 3=RGB, 4=CMYK
278	RowsPerStrip	For strip-based storage
305	Software	Creating software
306	DateTime	"YYYY:MM:DD HH:MM:SS"
315	Artist	Creator
319	PrimaryChromaticities	Color primaries (for color management)
320	ColorMap	For palette/indexed images
339	SampleFormat	1=unsigned integer, 2=signed integer, 3=float
700	XMP	XMP metadata block
34665	ExifIFD	Pointer to EXIF sub-IFD
34675	ICCProfile	Embedded ICC color profile

The PhotometricInterpretation tag is critical: it defines how pixel values map to colors. A CMYK TIFF (value 5) looks like a photographic negative if displayed as RGB — incorrect interpretation causes inverted colors in print workflows.

Bit Depth Options

Bit Depth	Range	Use Case
8-bit	0–255 per channel	Standard web/print photos
16-bit	0–65535 per channel	RAW processing, high-precision editing
32-bit float	IEEE 754 float	HDR, scientific imaging, VFX
1-bit	0 or 1	Bilevel (black/white) document scanning

16-bit TIFF is the standard for photography editing workflows — it preserves the precision of RAW files throughout post-processing, allowing aggressive shadow recovery and tone mapping without visible posterization.

32-bit float TIFF is used in:

OpenEXR replacement: when EXR is not supported but linear light HDR data must be stored
Scientific imaging: microscopy, astronomy, medical scans
VFX render passes: depth, normal, motion vector, cryptomatte passes

Compression Options in TIFF

Compression	Value	Lossless?	Notes
None	1	✅	Largest files; maximum compatibility
PackBits	32773	✅	Simple RLE; fast encode/decode; limited compression
LZW	5	✅	Best lossless for continuous-tone images
Deflate/ZIP	32946	✅	Better compression than LZW; slower
JPEG	6 or 7	❌	For JPEG-compressed TIFF (smaller; lossy)
CCITT Group 3/4	3/4	✅	For 1-bit fax/document images only

For photography archival: LZW or Deflate compression provides 30–50% size reduction with zero quality loss. For maximum compatibility with legacy software: no compression.

Multi-Page TIFF

TIFF supports multiple images in one file via multiple IFDs:

# Create multi-page TIFF from multiple images
convert page1.tif page2.tif page3.tif -compress LZW multipage.tif

# Split multi-page TIFF into individual pages
convert multipage.tif -compress LZW page_%d.tif

# Count pages in multi-page TIFF
identify -format "%n\n" multipage.tif | head -1

Multi-page TIFF is used for:

Scanned document archival (alternatives: PDF, DjVu)
Fax transmission (TIFF-F profile, CCITT Group 4 compression)
Medical imaging sequences (now largely replaced by DICOM)

Color Spaces in TIFF

TIFF's PhotometricInterpretation tag supports:

Value	Color Space	Use Case
0	WhiteIsZero	Grayscale (inverted)
1	BlackIsZero	Grayscale (normal)
2	RGB	Standard photographic images
5	CMYK	Print pre-press
6	YCbCr	JPEG-compressed TIFF, video
8	CIELab	Device-independent color
32803	CFA	Bayer pattern (RAW sensor data)
32845	LogL	Logarithmic luminance

For print production, TIFFs must be in CMYK with an embedded ICC profile (e.g., ISO Coated v2). Software like Photoshop and InDesign use the embedded profile for accurate color conversion from screen (RGB) to print (CMYK).

EXIF and Metadata in TIFF

TIFF was the original container for EXIF metadata — EXIF (Exchangeable Image File Format) was designed as an extension of TIFF. All EXIF tags from digital cameras are stored as TIFF tags in a sub-IFD pointed to by tag 34665.

# Read all TIFF/EXIF metadata
exiftool input.tif

# Embed ICC profile
exiftool -icc_profile<=sRGB_IEC61966-2-1_black_scaled.icc input.tif

# Strip all metadata (privacy)
exiftool -all= input.tif -o stripped.tif

Working with TIFF — Practical Commands

# Convert JPEG to 16-bit TIFF (for editing)
ffmpeg -i input.jpg -vf format=rgb48le output_16bit.tif
# or
convert input.jpg -depth 16 output_16bit.tif

# Convert RAW to 16-bit TIFF with dcraw
dcraw -T -6 -W -q 3 -o 1 input.CR2

# Compress existing TIFF without quality loss
convert input.tif -compress LZW output_lzw.tif

# Convert TIFF to PDF (multi-page)
convert *.tif -compress JPEG -quality 85 output.pdf

# Resize TIFF preserving 16-bit depth
convert input_16bit.tif -depth 16 -resize 50% output_half.tif

# Convert CMYK TIFF to sRGB JPEG
convert input_cmyk.tif -profile cmyk_profile.icc -profile sRGB.icc output.jpg

TIFF vs. Other Formats for Professional Use

Use Case	TIFF	PNG	JPEG	WebP	EXR
Photo archival (8-bit)	✅	✅	❌	✅	❌
Photo archival (16-bit)	✅	✅	❌	❌ (8-bit only)	✅
Print pre-press (CMYK)	✅	❌	✅	❌	❌
VFX render passes	✅	❌	❌	❌	✅ (preferred)
Web delivery	❌	✅	✅	✅	❌
Multi-page documents	✅	❌	❌	❌	❌
HDR (32-bit float)	✅	❌	❌	❌	✅ (preferred)
Medical imaging	✅ (legacy)	❌	❌	❌	❌

BigTIFF — Files Larger Than 4 GB

Standard TIFF uses 32-bit offsets, limiting file size to 4 GB. High-resolution scans (museum digitization at 1200+ DPI), multi-frame microscopy, and astronomical imaging regularly exceed this limit.

BigTIFF (extension .tif or .btf) uses 64-bit offsets, supporting files up to 18 exabytes. The magic number changes from 42 to 43. LibTIFF 4.0+ supports BigTIFF natively.

# Create BigTIFF directly (ImageMagick)
convert huge_scan.tif bigtiff:output.tif

Summary

TIFF earns its place in professional workflows through uncompromising data fidelity, flexible bit depths (8/16/32-bit), CMYK support for print, embedded ICC profiles for color management, and multi-page capability. It is not suitable for web delivery — file sizes are 5–20× larger than equivalent JPEG/PNG/WebP. For archival, print pre-press, scientific imaging, and any workflow where data must survive multiple editing generations, TIFF with LZW compression and an embedded ICC profile is the correct choice.

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Frequently Asked Questions

TIFF stores pixel data with no compression by default (Compression tag = 1). A 24-megapixel photo in 16-bit TIFF occupies approximately 24,000,000 pixels × 3 channels × 2 bytes = 144 MB uncompressed. Even with LZW compression, TIFF files are typically 3-10× larger than JPEG at comparable visual quality because TIFF preserves all pixel data losslessly. This size is intentional — TIFF prioritizes data integrity over file size, making it suitable for editing but not web delivery.

TIFF stores pixel data com no compressão by default (Compression tag = 1). A 24-megapixel photo in 16-bit TIFF occupies approximately 24,000,000 pixels × 3 channels × 2 bytes = 144 MB não comprimido. Even com LZW compressão, TIFF arquivos são tipicamente 3-10× maior que JPEG at comparable visual quality because TIFF preserves all pixel data sem perdasly. This size is intentional — TIFF prioritizes data integrity over tamanho do arquivo, making it suitable para editando mas not web delivery.

TIFF stores pixel data mit no Komprimierung by default (Compression tag = 1). A 24-megapixel photo in 16-bit TIFF occupies approximately 24,000,000 pixels × 3 channels × 2 bytes = 144 MB uncompressed. Even mit LZW Komprimierung, TIFF Dateien are typically 3-10× größer als JPEG at comparable visual quality because TIFF preserves all pixel data verlustfreily. This size is intentional — TIFF prioritizes data integrity over Dateigröße, making it suitable für editing aber not web delivery.

TIFF stores pixel data con no compresión by default (Compression tag = 1). A 24-megapixel photo in 16-bit TIFF occupies approximately 24,000,000 pixels × 3 channels × 2 bytes = 144 MB uncompressed. Even con LZW compresión, TIFF archivos are typically 3-10× más grande que JPEG at comparable visual quality because TIFF preserves all pixel data sin pérdidasly. This size is intentional — TIFF prioritizes data integrity over tamaño de archivo, making it suitable para editing pero not web delivery.

Use <strong>lossy</strong> (JPG, WebP, AVIF) for photographs — the human eye barely notices the difference at quality 80–85, and file sizes are 5–20× smaller. Use <strong>lossless</strong> (PNG, WebP-lossless) for screenshots, UI mockups, logos and anything with sharp edges or text — lossy creates ugly artifacts around boundaries.

16-bit TIFF is essential when you need to make significant tonal adjustments — shadow recovery, highlight pulling, heavy color grading, or exposure correction. 8-bit images have only 256 levels per channel; aggressive adjustments cause posterization (visible banding in gradients). 16-bit images have 65,536 levels per channel, providing headroom for heavy editing without quality loss. Always work in 16-bit when processing from RAW files or doing professional retouching.

16-bit TIFF is essential when Você precisa make significant tonal adjustments — shadow recovery, altalight pulling, heavy color grading, ou exposure correction. 8-bit images have only 256 levels per channel; aggressive adjustments cause posterization (visible banding in gradients). 16-bit images have 65,536 levels per channel, providing headroom para heavy editando sem quality loss. Always funcionar in 16-bit when processing de RAW arquivos ou doing profissional retouching.

16-bit TIFF is essential when Sie müssen make significant tonal adjustments — shadow recovery, hochlight pulling, heavy color grading, oder exposure correction. 8-bit images have only 256 levels per channel; aggressive adjustments cause posterization (visible banding in gradients). 16-bit images have 65,536 levels per channel, providing headroom für heavy editing ohne quality loss. Always work in 16-bit when processing von RAW Dateien oder doing professionell retouching.

16-bit TIFF is essential when Necesitas make significant tonal adjustments — shadow recovery, altalight pulling, heavy color grading, o exposure correction. 8-bit images have only 256 levels per channel; aggressive adjustments cause posterization (visible banding in gradients). 16-bit images have 65,536 levels per channel, providing headroom para heavy editing sin quality loss. Always work in 16-bit when processing de RAW archivos o doing profesional retouching.

For new projects in 2026, WebP is supported by all modern browsers (95%+ of traffic) and saves 25–35% over JPG at the same visual quality. AVIF is even more efficient (40–50% smaller) but encoding is slower and Safari support is recent. Use WebP as the default and AVIF as the progressive enhancement via <code><picture></code> with JPG fallback.

Yes. TIFF supports multiple Image File Directories (IFDs), each representing a separate image or page. This is used for scanned document archival, fax transmission (TIFF-F), and sequences. Use ImageMagick (convert page1.tif page2.tif output.tif) or LibTIFF tools to create multi-page TIFFs. PDF is now more common for multi-page documents, but TIFF remains preferred for lossless archival of high-resolution scans.

Yes. TIFF suporta multiple Image arquivo Directories (IFDs), each representing a separate image ou page. This is used para scanned document archival, fax transmission (TIFF-F), e sequences. usar ImageMagick (convert page1.tif page2.tif output.tif) ou LibTIFF ferramentas to create multi-page TIFFs. PDF is now more common para multi-page documents, mas TIFF remains preferred para sem perdas archival of alta-resolution scans.

Yes. TIFF unterstützt multiple Image Datei Directories (IFDs), each representing a separate image oder page. This is used für scanned document archival, fax transmission (TIFF-F), und sequences. verwenden ImageMagick (convert page1.tif page2.tif output.tif) oder LibTIFF Werkzeuge to create multi-page TIFFs. PDF is now more common für multi-page documents, aber TIFF remains preferred für verlustfrei archival von hoch-resolution scans.

Yes. TIFF soporta multiple Image archivo Directories (IFDs), each representing a separate image o page. This is used para scanned document archival, fax transmission (TIFF-F), y sequences. usar ImageMagick (convert page1.tif page2.tif output.tif) o LibTIFF herramientas to create multi-page TIFFs. PDF is now more common para multi-page documents, pero TIFF remains preferred para sin pérdidas archival de alta-resolution scans.

It depends on the tool: ImageMagick and FFmpeg copy EXIF by default, while cwebp drops it unless you pass <code>-metadata all</code>. KaijuConverter strips metadata server-side after conversion to protect your privacy — if you need to keep camera or GPS data, use a desktop tool you control.

RAW formats (CR2, NEF, ARW, etc.) contain unprocessed sensor data — linear light values before demosaicing, white balance, or tone curves. They require a RAW converter for viewing. TIFF is a processed format storing the final pixel values after all processing. Converting RAW to 16-bit TIFF preserves maximum quality for further editing in Photoshop, Lightroom, or other software. TIFF cannot store the original sensor data — once converted, the RAW metadata (lens correction, camera profile) cannot be re-applied from scratch.

RAW formatoos (CR2, NEF, ARW, etc.) contain unprocessed sensor data — linear light values antes demosaicing, white balance, ou tone curves. They require a RAW converter para viewing. TIFF is a processed formato storing the final pixel values depois all processing. convertendo RAW to 16-bit TIFF preserves máximo quality para further editando in Photoshop, Lightroom, ou other software. TIFF cannot store the original sensor data — once converted, the RAW metadata (lens correction, camera profile) cannot be re-applied de scratch.

RAW Formate (CR2, NEF, ARW, etc.) contain unprocessed sensor data — linear light values vor demosaicing, white balance, oder tone curves. They require a RAW converter für viewing. TIFF is a processed Format storing the final pixel values nach all processing. umwandelnd RAW to 16-bit TIFF preserves maximal quality für further editing in Photoshop, Lightroom, oder other Software. TIFF cannot store the original sensor data — once converted, the RAW metadata (lens correction, camera profile) cannot be re-applied von scratch.

RAW formatoos (CR2, NEF, ARW, etc.) contain unprocessed sensor data — linear light values antes demosaicing, white balance, o tone curves. They require a RAW converter para viewing. TIFF is a processed formato storing the final pixel values después all processing. convirtiendo RAW to 16-bit TIFF preserves máximo quality para further editing in Photoshop, Lightroom, o other software. TIFF cannot store the original sensor data — once converted, the RAW metadata (lens correction, camera profile) cannot be re-applied de scratch.

Three common causes: (1) ICC color profiles dropped during conversion shift colors slightly; (2) chroma subsampling (4:2:0) reduces color accuracy in lossy JPG/WebP; (3) the new format may not support all features of the original (e.g. PNG → JPG drops transparency to white). For pixel-perfect results stick to lossless formats and preserve color profiles explicitly.