Exif

Exif, short for Exchangeable Image File Format, is a metadata standard used to store information about digital images. It was developed to embed descriptive, technical, and location data within image files, predominantly JPEG and TIFF. Exif metadata is organized in a structured set of tags that can be read and written by cameras, printers, and software.

Common Exif tags describe the capture context and image characteristics. Typical fields include camera make and model, date and time of capture (DateTimeOriginal), image dimensions, exposure settings (ExposureTime, FNumber, ISO), focal length, flash usage, white balance, and orientation. Many files also contain GPS location data (GPSLatitude, GPSLongitude) and a small thumbnail image for quick previews. The data are stored within the file’s metadata sections, often in the TIFF/IFD structure inside the JPEG APP1 segment.

Support for Exif is widespread across camera manufacturers and image editing tools. Libraries and applications can read and modify Exif data, enabling workflows such as cataloging photos, adjusting exposure post-capture, or extracting camera information for metadata management. Exif is distinct from but commonly used alongside other metadata standards such as IPTC and XMP, which may be embedded or stored separately to support broader media workflows.

Privacy and handling considerations are important: Exif data can reveal sensitive information such as location, device model, and capture times. Users may choose to strip or anonymize metadata before sharing images, or configure devices to limit what is recorded. Exif data can be edited or overwritten by software, so original metadata may change during processing.