The Tagged-Image File Format (TIF) is a bitmap format extensively used to exchange files between applications and computer platforms. It is found in most paint, imaging and DTP programs.
TIFF is a tag-based file format designed to promote universal interchanges of digital image data. Because TIFF files do not have a single way to store image data, there are many versions. The usual file extension is TIFF for single-image files, and MPT for multipage files (which can contain many images).
TIFF is a lossless full-color image file format with optional LZW compression. TIFF files can be opened, edited and re-saved without degrading the image. The TIFF specification allows for up to 48 bits-per-pixel, CMYK or RGB color, and covers just about every requirement for electronic representation of single-layer still images. TIFF is the format of choice for exchanging and archiving high-quality photographs.
Note: Many imaging applications cannot read TIFF files that are LZW compressed.
