AIFF file format
Audio Interchange File Format
AIFF is Apple's uncompressed audio format — the Mac counterpart of WAV. It's lossless and about 10 MB per minute at CD quality, and is common in Logic Pro and GarageBand workflows.
| Property | AIFF |
|---|---|
| File extensions | .aiff, .aif |
| MIME type | audio/aiff |
| Introduced | 1988 by Apple |
| Compression | None (PCM) |
| Typical bitrate | 1,411 kbps (CD quality) |
| 3-minute song | ≈ 32 MB |
| Tags and cover art | Yes (ID3 chunk) |
| Compatibility | macOS, iTunes, DAWs; less common on Windows |
| Best for | Mac audio editing and music production |
What is an AIFF file?
AIFF (Audio Interchange File Format) was created by Apple in 1988, based on Electronic Arts' IFF format. Like WAV it stores uncompressed PCM audio — just with big-endian byte order — so the two contain identical sound data at the same settings.
Strengths and weaknesses
AIFF is lossless, supports metadata better than WAV and is native to Mac audio apps. It's just as large as WAV, and some Windows software and web uploads don't accept it.
When should you use AIFF?
Use AIFF for editing on a Mac. Convert to WAV for Windows tools, FLAC to archive, or MP3/AAC to share.