What is an AIFF file?
AIFF stands for Audio Interchange File Format. It was created by Apple and first released in 1988. AIFF is Apple's uncompressed counterpart to WAV, holding the same audio with bytes stored in the opposite order. Unlike WAV it has a standard place for track names and artwork.
AIF and AIFC are the same format under another extension.
| Type | audio |
|---|---|
| Compression | Lossless |
| Usually contains | uncompressed PCM, big-endian |
| In a browser | plays in Safari; Chrome and Firefox do not play it |
| Common uses | Logic Pro, GarageBand and Mac audio production |
| MIME type | audio/aiff |
Which format should you convert AIFF to?
- AIFF to MP3 to play on any device, car stereo or website.
- AIFF to M4A for iPhone, iTunes and Apple Music.
- AIFF to WAV to edit in an audio editor or burn to CD.
- AIFF to FLAC to archive without losing any quality.
- AIFF to MP4 to upload somewhere that only accepts video.
AIFF is lossless, so converting it to a lossy format is where the file gets much smaller.
How to open an AIFF file
Whether an AIFF file opens with a double click depends on the device. Here is what works on each, without buying software:
| Windows | Films and TV and Media Player open the common formats; VLC opens almost any audio file, AIFF included. |
|---|---|
| Mac | QuickTime Player opens formats Apple supports; VLC or IINA open the rest. |
| iPhone and iPad | The Files app plays formats Apple supports. For others, a player such as VLC for iOS, or converting the file here, is the easiest route. |
| Android | Most gallery and music apps play the common formats; VLC for Android plays almost everything. |
| Web browser | AIFF plays in Safari; Chrome and Firefox do not play it. |
Want the technical details? See what a .aiff file is, with its MIME type, file signature and a viewer.
AIFF compared with other audio formats
How AIFF stacks up against the formats people most often convert it to or from:
| Format | Compression | Usually contains | Released | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AIFF | Lossless | uncompressed PCM, big-endian | 1988 | Logic Pro, GarageBand and Mac audio production |
| MP3 | Lossy | MP3 audio, typically 128 to 320 kbps | 1993 | music libraries, podcasts and anything that has to play everywhere |
| WAV | Lossless | uncompressed PCM, usually 16-bit at 44.1 or 48 kHz | 1991 | recording, editing, sound effects and CD audio |
| M4A | Either | AAC, or ALAC for lossless files | 2001 | iTunes purchases, iPhone voice memos and Apple Music downloads |
| FLAC | Lossless | FLAC lossless audio, up to 32-bit and 655 kHz | 2001 | CD rips, hi-res music stores and audio archives |
How to use the AIFF converter
- Choose the format you want in the Convert to menu.
- Drop your AIFF files on the box, or press Choose AIFF files. Several files can go in at once.
- Adjust the settings if you need to; the defaults suit most people.
- Press Convert and save each file with its Download button. Nothing is uploaded at any point.
Tips for converting AIFF files without losing quality
AIFF is lossless, so it is a good source for any conversion. Converting it to a lossy format is where the file gets much smaller, and converting it to another lossless format keeps every sample.
- Keep a lossless master. If you have WAV, FLAC, AIFF or ALAC, keep it, and make lossy copies such as MP3 or AAC from it when you need them.
- Avoid converting one lossy format into another more than once. Each MP3, AAC or OGG encode throws away a little more, and the losses add up.
- Match the bitrate to the content: 192 kbps and up for music, 96 to 128 kbps for podcasts, 64 kbps for voice notes.
- Stick to 44.1 kHz for music and 48 kHz for audio that goes with video; resampling between them is harmless but pointless.
Convert AIFF files from the command line
Everything this page does can also be done in a terminal. The most common AIFF conversion, to MP3, looks like this with ffmpeg:
ffmpeg -i input.aiff -vn -c:a libmp3lame -b:a 192k output.mp3Change the output extension to pick another format. The converter above runs the same ffmpeg engine inside your browser, so you get the result without installing anything.
AIFF converter FAQ
What is an AIFF file?
AIFF stands for Audio Interchange File Format, an audio format created by Apple in 1988. AIFF is Apple's uncompressed counterpart to WAV, holding the same audio with bytes stored in the opposite order. Unlike WAV it has a standard place for track names and artwork.
How do I open an AIFF file?
AIFF plays in Safari; Chrome and Firefox do not play it. If the program you need will not open it, convert it to a more widely supported format above.
What is the most common AIFF conversion?
AIFF to MP3 is the conversion people search for most. The audio is decoded and written as MP3 at 192 kbps.
Does converting AIFF files here upload them?
No. Every conversion on this page runs inside your browser, so your AIFF files never leave your device.
Is the AIFF converter free?
Yes. There is no sign-up and no watermark, and no limit on how many AIFF files you convert. The site is supported by advertising.
Can I convert AIFF files on iPhone or Android?
Yes. Open this page in Safari on iPhone and iPad, or in Chrome on Android, choose your AIFF files and download the results to your Downloads folder.
Can I convert several AIFF files at once?
Yes. Drop as many as you like; they are converted one after another, each with its own download button.