Editor › Learn › TIFF vs JPEG: Which to Use and Why
What is the difference between TIFF and JPEG?
JPEG compresses by discarding image information and degrades every time it is re-saved. TIFF stores pixels losslessly, can hold separated CMYK data, and carries an embedded ICC profile — which is why print work is delivered as TIFF rather than JPEG.
Side by side
| JPEG | TIFF | |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | Lossy | Lossless (or none) |
| Re-saving | Degrades each time | No loss |
| CMYK | Rarely supported well | Fully supported |
| Transparency | No | Yes (RGB with alpha) |
| File size | Small | Large |
| Best for | Web, previews, email | Print delivery, archival, masters |
What JPEG actually throws away
JPEG divides the image into blocks and discards the high-frequency detail the eye is least sensitive to. That is efficient for photographs, but it produces visible artefacts around hard edges — text, logos, flat graphics — and the damage accumulates with every save.
When JPEG is right
For photographic content viewed on screen at a sensible quality setting, JPEG is a good trade. The mistake is using it as a working format or delivering it for print.