TIFF is a high-quality format used for scans, print and photo archives. Browsers can't display it directly, so converting is needed to use or share it on the web.
SVG is an XML-based vector format that stays sharp at any size. Converting TIFF to SVG is not like changing the format of an ordinary file, though: it is tracing (an estimate) that redraws the image as shapes. It works well for simple images such as logos and icons but not for photos, so read the cautions below first.
This converter reads the file itself to confirm it is TIFF, then converts it to SVG right in your browser. Your image is never uploaded.
TIFF vs SVG: what's the difference?
| Item | TIFF | SVG |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | Lossy or lossless | Vector (stored as math) |
| Transparent background | Yes | Yes |
| Animation | No | Yes |
| Introduced | 1986 | 2001 |
| Support in programs and upload forms | limited | moderate |
| Shown directly in browsers | No | Yes |
| Photo file size (JPG = 1) | about 6× | n/a |
What is TIFF?
TIFF has long been used for scanners, publishing and print, and for archiving original photos. It is a flexible container that supports lossless compression as well as several other compression methods and high bit depths.
What is SVG?
SVG stores lines, shapes and curves as math in text (XML) instead of pixels. It stays sharp however far you zoom, and a simple logo can be just a few KB.
What changes when you convert TIFF to SVG
It is an estimate, not an exact copy
Converting TIFF to SVG here means tracing: finding the outlines of areas of color in the image and redrawing them as shapes. It isn't an ordinary conversion that preserves the original pixels, so the result is not identical to your TIFF file; edges may shift a little and small details can disappear.
TIFF files are often photos, which don't suit SVG conversion
Photos have continuously changing colors, so splitting them into shapes gives a rough result and a file that can be much larger than your TIFF original (a single photo can reach several MB or more). When this site detects an image with many colors like a photo, it shows a warning on the result screen. If your TIFF contains a logo or icon, it is fine.
Colors are simplified to the number you set
SVG reduces the colors to a set number (2-64) to build the shapes. Subtle color differences in your TIFF file disappear, and smooth gradients can split into bands. You can adjust the number of colors and the level of detail in the conversion options; for logos and icons, 4-16 colors is often enough.
Text becomes shapes, not a font
Text inside the TIFF image is drawn as shapes in the SVG, not as text. You can't edit or search it later, and small or blurry text can be hard to read. If you need to edit the text, use the original design file.
Transparent backgrounds are kept
Transparent areas of the TIFF stay transparent in the SVG. To fill them with a color, turn on "Fill transparent areas and margins with the background color" in the options.
How size and file size change
An SVG grows with the number of shapes. A simple logo can be smaller than the TIFF original, but a complex image becomes much larger. After converting, the result screen compares the size with the original and tells you when it is larger. Tracing is done on an image reduced to at most 1024px on a side, and only the display size (width and height) of the SVG is set to the size you chose, so it stays sharp when enlarged.
Multi-page TIFFs convert only the first page
A TIFF can hold several pages in one file. Only the first page is made into an SVG.
When to convert
- You have a TIFF logo or icon without an original vector file (AI, Figma and so on) and want a form that doesn't break when enlarged
- You want to change the color or size of a simple graphic with code on the web
- You need a base outline for a program that takes outlines (vectors), such as cutting, embroidery or laser tools; the result may need cleaning up