AIFF (Audio Interchange File Format)
Apple's uncompressed audio format built for Mac studios, giving you every original sample with nothing thrown away.
| Full name | Audio Interchange File Format |
| Extension | .aiff |
| MIME type | audio/aiff |
| Developer | Apple Computer |
| Released | 1988 (version 1.3, January 1989) |
| Type | Uncompressed lossless audio |
| Byte order | Big-endian (Motorola 68k convention) |
| Compressed variant | AIFF-C (AIFC), released July 1991 |
What is a AIFF file?
AIFF is an uncompressed audio format that Apple released in 1988 for the Macintosh. Every sample is stored exactly as it was recorded, so there is no loss of audio quality. The format became a standard in Mac-based audio production and remains widely used in professional studios today.
AIFF stores audio as pulse-code modulation (PCM) samples, the same raw representation used on audio CDs. It supports mono and multichannel audio at any bit depth and sample rate commonly used in professional recording, such as 24-bit at 96 kHz. A companion format called AIFF-C (or AIFC) adds optional compression codecs, but most AIFF files in the wild are uncompressed. The format is the Mac-native counterpart to WAV, which serves the same role on Windows.
History
Apple designed AIFF in 1988, basing its structure on Electronic Arts' Interchange File Format (IFF), which had been widely used on Amiga computers. The specification reached version 1.3 in January 1989, which remains the canonical release. Apple published a compressed extension, AIFF-C, in July 1991 to allow optional codec support while keeping the same container structure.
How it works
An AIFF file starts with a top-level FORM chunk that identifies the document type as AIFF. Inside, a sequence of subchunks each carries a 4-character ID and a 32-bit length. Two chunks are required: the Common chunk (COMM), which records the number of channels, sample frames, bit depth, and sample rate stored as an 80-bit IEEE 754 extended-precision float; and the Sound Data chunk (SSND), which holds the actual PCM samples. Additional optional chunks can store loop points, markers, MIDI instrument parameters, and application-specific data. The entire file uses big-endian byte order, matching the Motorola 68000 processor in early Mac hardware.
What it is used for
- Archiving original recordings in Mac-based digital audio workstations like Logic Pro and GarageBand
- Exchanging audio between professional studios without any generation loss
- Mastering and post-production workflows where bit-perfect samples are required
- Sound design libraries where full-quality source files are kept before delivery formats are made
How to open it
AIFF files open natively on macOS in QuickTime Player, iTunes, and Logic Pro, and on Windows in VLC or Audacity without any extra plugins. Most professional DAWs on both platforms, including Pro Tools, Ableton Live, and Reaper, read and write AIFF without additional setup.
Pros and cons
Strengths
- Lossless storage means audio quality is identical to the original recording
- Native format on macOS with built-in support across Apple apps and hardware
- Supports high bit depths and sample rates used in professional studio work
- Widely accepted by DAWs, editors, and broadcast tools across platforms
Trade-offs
- Large file sizes compared to compressed formats like MP3 or AAC at the same duration
- Big-endian byte order can cause minor compatibility friction on software written for little-endian (x86/ARM) systems
- Less common than WAV on Windows, so some non-Apple tools default to WAV for uncompressed work
- Not practical for streaming or web delivery because of file size
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AIFF FAQ
What is the difference between AIFF and WAV?
Both store uncompressed PCM audio at full quality. The main differences are byte order and origin: AIFF uses big-endian byte order and was created by Apple for the Mac, while WAV uses little-endian order and comes from Microsoft and IBM for Windows. Audio quality is identical at the same bit depth and sample rate. WAV has slightly broader default support on Windows software, while AIFF has native support on macOS.
Is AIFF lossless?
Yes. Standard AIFF stores uncompressed PCM data, so nothing is discarded. The AIFF-C variant can hold compressed audio, but compressed AIFF-C files are uncommon and the compression used is usually lossless. If you have a plain .aiff file, it is lossless.
Can I convert AIFF to MP3 without losing quality from the original recording?
Converting AIFF to MP3 introduces lossy compression, so some audio information is permanently removed. However, the loss happens only in this conversion step. The original AIFF source is unaffected, and you can always re-export a fresh MP3 from it. Avoid converting MP3 back to AIFF โ that does not recover the lost data and only creates a larger file.
Why are AIFF files so large?
Because they store every sample without compression. A stereo recording at 44.1 kHz and 16-bit depth uses about 10 MB per minute. At 24-bit and 96 kHz, that rises to around 34 MB per minute. If file size is a concern and you do not need to edit the audio further, converting to a compressed format like AAC or FLAC can reduce the size significantly.