Convert ICO to TIF
About ICO
The ICO (Icon) file format is used for computer icons in Microsoft Windows. An ICO file contains one or more small images at multiple sizes and color depths, allowing them to be scaled appropriately. The most common use for ICO files on the web is for 'favicons', the small icon displayed in a browser's tab.
About TIF
The Tagged Image File Format (TIFF) is a high-quality, flexible image format that is a standard in the printing and professional photography industries. It can be saved with lossless compression (like LZW or ZIP) or uncompressed, preserving all image detail. TIFF also supports layers, multiple pages, and extensive metadata, making it ideal for archival and complex editing workflows.
ICO vs TIF
| Feature | ICO | TIF |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | uncompressed or PNG compressed | uncompressed, LZW, ZIP, JPEG |
| Transparency | true | true |
| Animation | false | false |
| Quality Rating | 3 | 5 |
| Patent Status | royalty-free | royalty-free |
| Year Introduced | 1985 | 1986 |
| Developed By | Microsoft | Aldus Corporation |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a PNG for a favicon instead of an ICO?
Yes, modern browsers have excellent support for using PNG files as favicons. You can simply link to a .png file in your HTML header. However, the .ico format can still be useful as it can contain multiple icon sizes in a single file, which some browsers and platforms use in different contexts (like bookmarks or desktop shortcuts).
What's the maximum size for an ICO file?
While historically icons were very small (16x16 or 32x32 pixels), the ICO format can technically support icons up to 256x256 pixels. This allows for high-resolution icons on modern displays.
Should I use TIFF for the web?
No, TIFF files are not suitable for the web. They have very large file sizes and are not supported by most web browsers. TIFF is designed for print and professional editing, not for online viewing. For the web, use JPEG, PNG, or WebP.
What's the difference between TIF and TIFF?
Similar to JPG/JPEG, there is no difference. 'TIF' is simply the three-letter file extension used by older systems. The format itself is officially named TIFF.
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