What is AIFF (Audio Interchange File Format)?
Complete guide to the AIFF file format
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What is AIFF (Audio Interchange File Format)?
AIFF (Audio Interchange File Format) is Apple's uncompressed audio format developed in 1988. It is the Mac equivalent of WAV on Windows, storing raw audio data without any compression.
AIFF files preserve perfect audio quality but are extremely large. A 4-minute song at CD quality (44.1kHz, 16-bit stereo) takes approximately 40MB as an AIFF file.
How AIFF Works
AIFF is a chunk-based container derived from Electronic Arts' Interchange File Format (IFF), organizing data into typed chunks such as COMM for format parameters and SSND for the sample data.[3] The audio itself is stored as uncompressed linear PCM in big-endian byte order, the native ordering of the Motorola processors used in early Macintosh computers.[1] The Library of Congress documents a distinct subtype specifically constrained to LPCM audio for preservation use.[2]
AIFF-C and Variants
A later revision, AIFF-C (or AIFC), extended the format to allow compressed audio codecs within the same chunk structure, distinguishing it from the strictly uncompressed original.[3] The big-endian byte order is the principal technical difference from Microsoft's little-endian WAV format, which is otherwise conceptually similar in storing uncompressed PCM.[1]
Technical Details
AIFF vs Other Audio Formats
| Feature | AIFF | WAV | FLAC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compression | Uncompressed (PCM)[2] | Uncompressed (PCM) | Lossless |
| Quality | Bit-perfect[1] | Bit-perfect | Bit-perfect |
| File size | Large[1] | Large | Roughly half |
| Developer | Apple[3] | Microsoft / IBM | Xiph.Org |
| Device support | Wide | Wide | Wide |
| Best for | Mac editing/archiving | Editing/archiving | Lossless archiving |
AIFF stores bit-perfect uncompressed audio like WAV, while FLAC achieves the same quality at roughly half the file size.
Pros and Cons
Advantages
Uncompressed audio with zero quality loss - perfect for professional audio work.
AIFF is natively supported by all Mac audio applications.
Used in professional recording studios, post-production, and music production.
AIFF is suitable for archiving recordings where perfect fidelity is required.
Disadvantages
A typical 4-minute song is 40MB as AIFF - impractical for everyday use.
AIFF has limited support on Windows - WAV is the better choice for cross-platform use.
AIFF cannot compress audio without switching to the less-common AIFF-C variant.
File sizes make AIFF impractical for streaming or mobile storage.
When to Use AIFF (Audio Interchange File Format)
Here are the most common situations where AIFF (Audio Interchange File Format) is the right choice:
Professional Recording
AIFF is used in Mac-based recording studios as the primary uncompressed audio format.
Audio Editing
Logic Pro, GarageBand, and other Mac audio software work natively with AIFF.
Sound Design
Professional sound designers use AIFF for maximum quality in their audio libraries.
Music Production
Music producers on Mac use AIFF for sample libraries and stem storage.
Convert AIFF (Audio Interchange File Format) Files
Need to convert your AIFF files? Use our free online converter.
Try Image Converter FreeFrequently Asked Questions about AIFF (Audio Interchange File Format)
Is AIFF the same as WAV?
AIFF and WAV are functionally identical - both store uncompressed audio. AIFF is preferred on Mac; WAV on Windows.
Can I play AIFF on Windows?
Some Windows apps support AIFF, but WAV is better for Windows compatibility.
How do I convert AIFF to MP3?
Use our free online converter to convert AIFF to MP3 and reduce the file size by 90%.
Is AIFF lossless?
Yes, AIFF stores uncompressed audio data - it is completely lossless.
What is the difference between AIFF and ALAC?
AIFF is uncompressed; ALAC (Apple Lossless) is compressed but lossless - identical quality, ALAC is smaller.