TIFF vs JPG vs PNG for scans: which format to keep?
Many scanners and scanning apps save TIFF by default. TIFF is a good archive format, but it is large and awkward to share. This guide compares TIFF, JPG and PNG for scans so you can decide what to keep and what to send.
What TIFF is good at
TIFF dates back to 1986 and is common in scanning, printing and publishing. It can store images without loss, supports high bit depth, can hold several pages in one file and offers different compression methods. It is also used for georeferenced maps in the form of GeoTIFF.
The price is size and compatibility. Most web browsers cannot display TIFF, and many upload forms reject it.
How big is a scan
File size follows the pixels. A letter size page scanned at 300 dpi is 2550 by 3300 pixels. At three bytes per pixel in color, that is about 25 MB before any compression is applied, which is why uncompressed TIFF scans quickly fill a drive.
Lossless compression inside TIFF reduces this, and JPG reduces it much more, usually to a small fraction, at the cost of some detail.
A simple way to choose
| You want to | Keep or use |
|---|---|
| Archive the original scan | TIFF |
| Email or upload a scan | JPG, or a PDF made from JPG |
| Preserve crisp text in a black and white scan | PNG |
| Edit a scan again and again | PNG or TIFF |
| Show a scan on a website | JPG or WebP |
Multi page TIFF files
A TIFF can hold many pages, but converting it to JPG or PNG with a browser tool takes only the first page. If your scan has several pages, scan them as separate files or split the TIFF first, then combine the JPG pages into one PDF.
Scans for forms and applications
- Scan at 200 to 300 dpi for text documents. Higher numbers make larger files without making text easier to read.
- Save as JPG at a high quality setting, then combine the pages into a PDF.
- If a form has a size limit, use the maximum file size option when you create the PDF.
Frequently asked questions
Does converting TIFF to JPG reduce quality?
Slightly, because JPG is lossy. At a high quality setting scanned text stays readable. Keep the TIFF as the master copy if you may need the best version later.
Why will my TIFF not open in my browser?
Most browsers do not display TIFF. Convert it to JPG or PNG to view or share it.
Is PNG better than TIFF for scans?
PNG is lossless and works in browsers, so it is a good everyday format for scans. TIFF is better for professional printing and special color needs.
Try the converters
- TIFF to JPG ConverterDrop TIFF files to produce JPG images that are easy to share.
- TIFF to PNG ConverterAdd TIFF images and download PNG files.
- JPG to PDF ConverterAdd one or more images, put them in order and create a single PDF.
Last reviewed October 2026. Steps on other systems can change between versions, so check the menu names on your own device. Convert In Place is not affiliated with Apple, Google, Microsoft or Adobe.