TIFF vs JPG
TIFF and JPG sit at opposite ends of the image quality-versus-size spectrum. TIFF is the professional standard for print production, archiving, and high-end photography -- it stores every pixel without any compression loss, often resulting in files of 50-200 MB for a single high-resolution photo. JPG applies intelligent lossy compression that discards data the human eye is unlikely to notice, producing files that are typically 10-50x smaller. For professional print workflows, retouching, and archiving master copies, TIFF is essential. For everything else -- web, email, social media, screen viewing -- JPG is the practical choice.
TIFF vs JPG — Feature Comparison
| Feature | TIFF | JPG |
|---|
| Compression | Lossless or uncompressed | Lossy |
|---|
| File Size | 50-200 MB typical | 1-10 MB typical |
|---|
| Quality Preservation | Perfect (every pixel) | Near-perfect at high quality |
|---|
| Color Depth | Up to 48-bit | 24-bit |
|---|
| CMYK Support | Full support | Limited |
|---|
| Layers | Supported | Not supported |
|---|
| Web Use | Not suitable | Ideal |
|---|
| Email/Sharing | Too large | Perfect size |
|---|
| Print Production | Industry standard | Acceptable for proofs |
|---|
| Editing Headroom | Maximum | Limited |
|---|
When to use TIFF
Use TIFF for professional print production, photo archiving, medical imaging, scanning master copies, and any workflow where maximum quality preservation is critical. TIFF's support for 16-bit color, CMYK color space, and layers makes it essential for professional photography and prepress work. Keep your master edits in TIFF.
When to use JPG
Use JPG for web publishing, email attachments, social media, document embedding, and everyday photo sharing. JPG at 85-95% quality is visually indistinguishable from TIFF for screen viewing, while being 10-50x smaller. JPG is the practical format for any image that will be viewed on a screen.
Verdict: TIFF vs JPG
Keep TIFF for master files, print production, and archiving where quality is non-negotiable. Use JPG for everything else. The standard workflow: edit in TIFF, deliver in JPG.
TIFF vs JPG — Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see the difference between TIFF and high-quality JPG?
On screen at normal viewing distance, no. At JPG quality 90%+ the difference is invisible. In print at large sizes, TIFF may show slightly more detail in areas with fine gradients.
Why do print shops require TIFF?
TIFF supports CMYK color, 16-bit depth, and has zero compression artifacts. These properties are critical for accurate color reproduction in professional printing.
Should I scan documents as TIFF or JPG?
Scan master copies as TIFF for archiving, then convert to JPG for sharing. For everyday scanning where archival quality is not needed, JPG at 95% is fine.
Is TIFF the same as RAW?
No. RAW contains unprocessed sensor data from a camera. TIFF is a processed image format. RAW has more editing headroom than TIFF, but TIFF is more universally supported.
Convert between TIFF and JPG