How to use it
- Add TIFF files.
- Each page becomes a PNG.
- Download the results.
Why PNG is a good home for TIFF images
Both formats are lossless. PNG trades some of TIFF's professional features, such as CMYK colour, layers and multiple pages in one file, for universal support. Every browser, phone and document tool opens PNG. For scanned letters, contracts, receipts, maps and technical drawings, that is usually the better trade.
PNG is also often smaller than an uncompressed or LZW TIFF of the same image, because its compression is more effective on typical content.
What is not carried over
- High bit depth (16-bit per channel) images are reduced to 8 bits per channel.
- CMYK TIFFs are converted to RGB.
- Layers saved by Photoshop are flattened into the composite image.
- Metadata such as scanner settings and resolution tags are not copied.
If you need the PNG to state a print resolution, set it afterwards with the DPI changer.
TIFF and PNG compared
| TIFF | PNG | |
|---|---|---|
| First released | 1986 | 1996 |
| Compression | None, lossless, or JPEG inside | Lossless |
| Transparency | Yes | Yes, including soft edges |
| Animation or pages | Multiple pages | Only as APNG, rarely used |
| Best for | Scanning, print and archives | Screenshots, graphics, text and transparency |
| Support | Professional software; Safari is the only major browser | Universal |
Questions people ask
Is TIFF to PNG lossless?
Yes for normal 8-bit RGB and greyscale images. Higher bit depths are reduced to 8 bits per channel.
What happens with multi-page TIFFs?
Each page is saved as a separate PNG.
Can I keep the 300 DPI setting from my scan?
The pixels are the same, so print quality is unaffected. To restore the DPI label, use the DPI changer on the PNG.