What Is AIFF?

How it works

AIFF (Audio Interchange File Format) stores raw PCM audio — the same uncompressed format as WAV. There is no compression: every audio sample is stored exactly as captured. An AIFF file decoded back to PCM is bit-for-bit identical to the original recording.

AIFF and WAV contain technically identical audio. The difference is the container format: AIFF is Apple's design (big-endian byte order) and WAV is Microsoft's (little-endian). In practice they are interchangeable — both convert to MP3, FLAC, and other formats with equal results.

AIFF vs AIF vs AIFC

• .aiffThe standard extension. Stores raw, uncompressed PCM audio. Fully lossless.
• .aifThe older 3-character version of the same extension, used on older Macs and some systems. Technically identical to .aiff — same format, same quality.
• .aifcAIFC (AIFF Compressed) uses the same container but can store compressed audio codecs — IMA ADPCM, MACE, and others. AIFC files may be lossy depending on the codec used. Less common today, but appeared in older Apple Pro Audio gear and early Logic Pro sessions.

Common uses

• —Logic Pro session audio — Logic exports and bounces in AIFF by default on macOS
• —GarageBand audio exports
• —Pro Tools audio files on macOS
• —CD rips and audio masters stored on macOS systems
• —Sample libraries for macOS-native instruments and samplers

Strengths

• +Lossless — identical audio quality to the original recording
• +Native format for Logic Pro, GarageBand, and macOS audio tools
• +Supports high bit depths and sample rates
• +AIFF and WAV are technically equivalent — both work equally well as masters

Weaknesses

• −Very large files — typically 30–50 MB per 3-minute track
• −Weaker metadata support compared to FLAC
• −Less common than WAV outside the Apple ecosystem
• −Not practical for sharing or streaming — far too large

Compatibility

AIFF plays natively on macOS and is well-supported in iTunes, QuickTime, and Logic Pro. VLC plays AIFF on any platform. Windows Media Player and most DAWs on Windows also handle AIFF without issues.

AIFC files are less universally supported and may require macOS-specific tools or FFmpeg-based software to decode certain compressed variants.

When to convert AIFF

• —Convert to MP3 for sharing, streaming, or playback on non-Apple devices
• —Convert to FLAC for lossless archiving with a smaller file size and better metadata
• —Convert to WAV when moving a project from macOS to Windows-based workflows