TIFF and GIF explained
TIFF is a flexible container used in print, publishing and archiving. It can hold multiple pages, layers, and a variety of compression schemes including none at all, which is why TIFF files vary enormously in size.
GIF is a 1987 format limited to a 256-colour palette per frame, with support for simple animation and one fully transparent colour. Its longevity is cultural rather than technical — nothing about it is efficient by modern standards.
- Where TIFF files come from
- Scanners, professional photography workflows, and print production.
- Where GIF is used
- Reaction images, simple UI animations, and screen recordings shared in chat.