TIFF vs JPG
TIFF and JPG sit at opposite ends of the image-quality spectrum. TIFF is a flexible, usually lossless format prized in printing, scanning, and archiving for its maximum quality. JPG is a compact, lossy format built for everyday photos, sharing, and the web.
Use TIFF for professional printing, scanning, and archiving where maximum quality and no compression loss matter. Use JPG for the web, sharing, and storage where small file size is the priority.
TIFF vs JPG: side-by-side comparison
| Attribute | TIFF | JPG |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | Lossless (or uncompressed) | Lossy |
| File size | Very large | Small |
| Quality | Maximum, no loss | Reduced (artifacts on re-save) |
| Layers / multi-page | Yes | No |
| Web support | Not supported in browsers | Universal |
| Best for | Print, scanning, archiving | Web, sharing, everyday photos |
What is TIFF and what is JPG?
TIFF
TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) is a flexible raster format that can store images uncompressed or with lossless compression, plus layers, multiple pages, and high bit depths. It is the standard in professional printing, scanning, and archiving, but files are large and browsers cannot display it.
JPG
JPG is the universal lossy photo format. It produces small files perfect for the web and sharing, plays everywhere, but discards detail on every save. It is the wrong choice for archival masters or print originals that demand full fidelity.
When to use which
Choose TIFF
Choose TIFF for scanning documents and photos to archive, preparing images for professional print, or any master copy that must retain every detail.
Choose JPG
Choose JPG for web images, sharing photos, and everyday storage where small size matters more than absolute fidelity.
Convert between these formats
Use our free, browser-based converters: