TIFF vs PNG
Comparing Tagged Image File Format and Portable Network Graphics — which format should you use?
| TIFF | PNG | |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Tagged Image File Format | Portable Network Graphics |
| Extension | .tiff | .png |
| MIME Type | image/tiff | image/png |
| Category | image | image |
TIFF Pros
- +Lossless — preserves all image data
- +Supports CMYK for print
- +Multiple layers and pages
- +Industry standard for print/publishing
TIFF Cons
- -Very large file sizes
- -Not supported by web browsers
- -Slow to load and process
- -Overkill for web use
PNG Pros
- +Lossless compression — no quality loss
- +Full alpha transparency support
- +Wide browser and software support
- +Good for graphics, logos, screenshots
PNG Cons
- -Larger file sizes than JPEG for photographs
- -No animation support (use APNG or GIF)
- -Not ideal for print (use TIFF or PDF)
- -No EXIF metadata support
Use TIFF when...
- -Professional print production
- -Archival photography
- -Medical imaging
- -GIS/satellite imagery
Use PNG when...
- -Website graphics and logos
- -Screenshots and UI mockups
- -Images requiring transparency
- -Digital art and illustrations