Format guide
What is AIFF?
AIFF file format is Audio Interchange File Format — Apple’s classic uncompressed audio format, created by Apple (1988). AIFF is WAV’s Apple-leaning sibling for uncompressed PCM. Great in Logic and older Mac audio trees; convert to WAV/FLAC/MP3 depending on whether you need exchange, archive, or delivery.
AIFF format specifications
- Full name
- AIFF file format
- Kind
- audio
- File extension
- .aiff, .aif
- MIME type
- audio/aiff
- Developer / standard
- Apple · 1988
- Compression
- usually uncompressed PCM
- Quality model
- Lossless / not lossy
- Container
- No / single bitstream typical
- Common codecs
- —
- Technical sources
- —
- Transparency
- Not supported
- Animation
- No (still / non-animated typical use)
- Typical size
- Large — similar to WAV for the same sample rate/bit depth
- Browser support
- Spotty — convert to WAV/MP3 for web playback
- Compatibility
- Native on classic Mac audio tooling; Windows shops usually prefer WAV — convert when exchanging PCM across platforms
AIFF compression & quality
AIFF compression: usually uncompressed PCM. Lossless (or non-destructive packaging) keeps reconstructable data — size savings come from packing efficiency, not throwing detail away. Typical size profile: Large — similar to WAV for the same sample rate/bit depth. Quality note: Studio-grade when PCM; large files
Quality: Studio-grade when PCM; large files
Typical size: Large — similar to WAV for the same sample rate/bit depth
Transparency & animation
AIFF does not support an alpha channel. Convert to PNG, WebP, AVIF, or SVG when you need transparent backgrounds.
AIFF is a still-media or non-animated format in typical use. Use GIF, APNG, video, or animated WebP when you need motion.
AIFF metadata
Tags such as ID3, Vorbis comments, or MP4 atoms (title, artist, album, artwork).
Best use cases for AIFF
- Logic/GarageBand style PCM exports
- Mac audio archives
- Uncompressed voice/music masters
- Exchange with WAV-based tools after conversion
When to avoid AIFF
- Phone music libraries
- Streaming enclosures
- Windows users without players
- Long podcast distribution
Advantages
- Lossless PCM
- Native Mac history
- Pro audio friendly
- Simple editing
Disadvantages
- Huge files
- Less universal than WAV in Windows shops
- Not for casual sharing
- Needs lossy derivatives for distribution
Compatibility
Native on classic Mac audio tooling; Windows shops usually prefer WAV — convert when exchanging PCM across platforms
Browsers: Spotty — convert to WAV/MP3 for web playback
Software support
- Logic Pro
- GarageBand
- Audacity
- ffmpeg
- VLC
Device support
- Mac
- iOS (many apps)
- Pro audio interfaces
How to open AIFF
Open AIFF in QuickTime, Audacity, Logic, or GarageBand. On Windows, use VLC or convert to WAV so mainstream editors import the PCM cleanly.
How to convert AIFF
Convert AIFF to WAV, MP3, or FLAC in Format Convertly depending on whether you need exchange, delivery, or archives — in-browser only.
Popular AIFF conversions
Convert to AIFF
Incoming conversions strengthen the AIFF cluster — e.g. JPG → AIFF, PNG → AIFF.
AIFF comparison guides
Compare AIFF with related formats to pick the right container for quality, size, and compatibility.
Best format guides featuring AIFF
Decision pages that cite AIFF — the next hop after a vs comparison.
Related formats
AIFF tools
Tools extend the format graph beyond one-off conversion — compression, metadata, and utilities for real workflows.
AIFF FAQ
What is a AIFF file?
AIFF is Audio Interchange File Format — Apple’s classic uncompressed audio format. AIFF is WAV’s Apple-leaning sibling for uncompressed PCM. Great in Logic and older Mac audio trees; convert to WAV/FLAC/MP3 depending on whether you need exchange, archive, or delivery.
Is AIFF lossy or lossless?
AIFF is typically lossless or non-destructive in common use (usually uncompressed PCM).
Does AIFF support transparency?
AIFF does not support an alpha channel. Convert to PNG, WebP, AVIF, or SVG when you need transparent backgrounds.
How do I open a AIFF file?
Open AIFF in QuickTime, Audacity, Logic, or GarageBand. On Windows, use VLC or convert to WAV so mainstream editors import the PCM cleanly.
How do I convert AIFF privately?
Convert AIFF to WAV, MP3, or FLAC in Format Convertly depending on whether you need exchange, delivery, or archives — in-browser only. Format Convertly keeps processing in your browser so files are not uploaded to a conversion server.
Are my AIFF files uploaded on Format Convertly?
No. AIFF conversion runs in your browser. Files are not sent to Format Convertly servers for processing.