TIFFJPEG

TIFFJPEG is the designation used for a TIFF image that uses JPEG compression for its image data. TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) is a flexible container capable of storing image data with a variety of compression schemes; when JPEG compression is selected, the TIFF file stores the image as a JPEG bitstream within the TIFF structure. This combination leverages JPEG’s efficient lossy compression while maintaining TIFF’s metadata and extensibility.

In a TIFF/JPEG file, the actual image content is encoded as a JPEG stream, and the file includes metadata that indicates how to decode and reconstruct the image, including color space information and any relevant JPEG parameters. Baseline JPEG is commonly supported, making TIFF/JPEG widely compatible with many imaging workflows. Some tools may also support extended or advanced JPEG features within TIFF, depending on the implementation.

Practical use of TIFF/JPEG is common in digital photography, document scanning, and archival workflows where moderate to high compression is desired without introducing the complexity of newer formats. Software support is broad among modern image editors, viewers, and conversion tools, though results can vary by application. Repeated editing and saving in a TIFF/JPEG workflow can lead to progressive quality loss due to recompression.

Compared with uncompressed TIFF or TIFFs using lossless schemes (such as LZW or ZIP), TIFF/JPEG trades exact bit-for-bit fidelity for reduced file size. It remains popular for its balance of compatibility with standard JPEG workflows and the ability to retain TIFF-compatible metadata within a single file.