AIFF is an uncompressed audio file format historically associated with Apple and professional audio workflows.
Audio format explainer

What Is

AIFF?
Audio Interchange File Format

AIFF is an uncompressed audio file format historically associated with Apple and professional audio workflows.

Beginner-friendly • Practical examples • Plain English
AIFF • WAV • PCM

TL;DR

AIFF stands for Audio Interchange File Format.

AIFF is usually uncompressed PCM audio.

AIFF and WAV can offer the same audio quality.

What AIFF stands for

AIFF stands for Audio Interchange File Format. It is a digital audio file format commonly associated with Apple and professional audio tools.

What AIFF is used for

AIFF is often used for recording, editing, mixing, mastering, and exchanging high-quality audio between applications. Like WAV, it is usually large because it commonly stores uncompressed PCM audio.

AIFF vs WAV

FormatCommon associationQuality
AIFFApple and pro audio workflowsUsually equivalent to WAV when both contain the same PCM audio
WAVWindows, studios, broadcast, general PCM audioUsually equivalent to AIFF when both contain the same PCM audio

Frequently asked questions

What does AIFF stand for?

AIFF stands for Audio Interchange File Format.

What is AIFF used for?

AIFF is used for high-quality audio recording, editing, mixing, mastering, and file exchange.

Is AIFF lossless?

AIFF is usually uncompressed PCM audio, so it can preserve the original audio without lossy compression.

Is AIFF better than WAV?

Not inherently. AIFF and WAV can store the same PCM audio quality; the better choice is usually about workflow compatibility.

Should I use AIFF or WAV?

Use whichever format your software, studio, or delivery workflow expects. WAV is usually more universal, while AIFF is common in some Apple-oriented workflows.