AIFF File Format (Audio Interchange File Format)
AIFF (Audio Interchange File Format) is an uncompressed audio format developed by Apple in 1988, based on Electronic Arts' Interchange File Format (IFF). AIFF stores raw PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) audio data, preserving every sample exactly as recorded with zero compression artifacts. It is essentially the Apple-world counterpart to Microsoft's WAV format, and the two are technically very similar in audio quality and size. A CD-quality AIFF file (44.1 kHz, 16-bit, stereo) uses approximately 10 MB per minute. AIFF is the native uncompressed format on macOS and is widely used in professional audio editing, music production, and sound design, particularly within the Apple ecosystem and tools like Logic Pro and GarageBand. Unlike WAV, AIFF stores its sample data in big-endian byte order, reflecting the Motorola processors on early Macintosh computers. A compressed variant, AIFF-C (AIFC), adds optional codecs, but the uncompressed PCM form remains the standard. AIFF is best for archival, editing, and mastering where pristine quality matters more than file size.
Quick Facts
- Extension: .aiff, .aif, .aifc
- MIME Type: audio/aiff
- Category: audio
Advantages
- Lossless quality with zero compression artifacts
- Native, first-class support on macOS and in Apple audio software
- Ideal for editing, mixing, and mastering workflows
- Supports high bit depths and sample rates
- Stores text metadata chunks (name, author, copyright, annotations)
Disadvantages
- Very large file sizes (about 10 MB per minute for CD quality)
- Not practical for online distribution or streaming
- Less common than WAV on Windows and cross-platform tools
- 4 GB file size limit due to 32-bit chunk size fields
- No built-in compression for the standard PCM form (use FLAC or ALAC for lossless compression)
Common Use Cases
- Music production and recording on macOS (Logic Pro, GarageBand)
- Sound design and audio post-production
- CD authoring and master audio delivery
- Sample libraries and loops in the Apple ecosystem
- Audio archival and preservation at full quality
Technical Details
AIFF uses the IFF container model, organizing data into typed chunks. The COMM (Common) chunk stores sample rate, bit depth, and channel count, while the SSND (Sound Data) chunk holds the raw PCM samples. Sample data is stored in big-endian byte order, the key structural difference from little-endian WAV. Stereo audio interleaves left and right channel samples, and each sample is a signed integer (or float for 32-bit). Sample rate is stored as an 80-bit IEEE 754 extended-precision float. Optional chunks include NAME, AUTH, (c) copyright, ANNO annotations, MARK markers, and INST instrument data. AIFF-C (AIFC) extends the format with a compression type identifier in the COMM chunk, allowing codecs such as ALAC, mu-law, or IMA ADPCM while keeping the same container.
Frequently Asked Questions about AIFF
What is the difference between AIFF and WAV?
Both are uncompressed PCM audio formats with identical audio quality and nearly identical file sizes. The main differences are origin and byte order: AIFF was created by Apple and stores samples in big-endian order, while WAV was created by Microsoft and uses little-endian. AIFF also has slightly better native text metadata support. Use AIFF in Apple workflows and WAV in Windows workflows; both are interchangeable in quality.
Does AIFF sound better than MP3?
AIFF is lossless and preserves 100% of the original audio, while MP3 is lossy and discards data. AIFF will sound at least as good as the source, but whether you can hear a difference depends on your playback equipment and the MP3's bitrate. On good headphones, many listeners can distinguish a low-bitrate MP3 from AIFF.
Why are AIFF files so large?
AIFF stores every audio sample with no compression. CD-quality audio (44.1 kHz, 16-bit, stereo) produces about 10 MB per minute, so a typical song is 30 to 40 MB. For the same lossless quality at roughly half the size, convert to FLAC or ALAC.
Can AIFF files store metadata like artist and title?
Yes. AIFF supports text chunks such as NAME, AUTH (author), copyright, and ANNO (annotation), and many tools also embed ID3 tags in AIFF files for artist, title, album, and artwork. Metadata support is better than basic WAV but less standardized than FLAC.
Will AIFF play on Windows and Android?
AIFF is natively supported on macOS and iOS, but it is less universally handled elsewhere. Most desktop players like VLC and foobar2000 play AIFF on Windows, and many Android players support it, though it is not guaranteed everywhere. For maximum compatibility when sharing, convert to MP3, AAC, or FLAC.
Should I use AIFF or Apple Lossless (ALAC)?
Both are lossless in the Apple ecosystem. AIFF is uncompressed and best for editing and production, where simple, fast access to raw samples matters. ALAC compresses the same audio to about 50 to 60 percent of the size with no quality loss, making it better for storage and library use on Apple devices.