TIFFPNG
TIFF vs PNG: Which Image Format Should You Choose?
A side-by-side comparison of TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) and PNG (Portable Network Graphics) — covering compression, quality, file size, transparency, and browser support.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | TIFF | PNG |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) | PNG (Portable Network Graphics) |
| Compression | Lossless | Lossless |
| Typical Size | Very large | Large |
| Transparency | ||
| Animation | ||
| Max Colors | 16.7 million+ | 16.7 million + Alpha |
| Browser Support | Not supported in browsers | Universal (100%) |
| Year Created | 1986 | 1996 |
When to Use TIFF
- Professional print production and prepress
- Photography archival and RAW post-processing
- Medical and scientific imaging
- Desktop publishing and graphic design
- Scanning documents at maximum quality
When to Use PNG
- Logos, icons, and branding assets that need transparency
- Screenshots and UI mockups with sharp text
- Graphics with flat colors and hard edges
- Images requiring a transparent background
- Archival of images without any quality loss
The Verdict
TIFF is for professional print and archival workflows. PNG is for web and digital use. Choose based on your output destination.