What is an AIFF File?

An AIFF file is a digital audio file format used to store high-quality, uncompressed audio. AIFF stands for Audio Interchange File Format, and it preserves the full detail of the original recording without applying compression.

Because AIFF files store audio in an uncompressed format, they maintain the same sound quality as the original source. This makes them commonly used in professional audio production, music recording, and sound design where maintaining high fidelity is important.

AIFF files are similar in quality to WAV files but are more commonly associated with Apple systems. Due to their uncompressed nature, AIFF files tend to be larger than compressed formats such as MP3.

The AIFF format was developed by Apple and is widely supported in macOS-based audio production environments. Producers and sound engineers often work with AIFF files in digital audio workstations such as Logic Pro, Ableton Live, and Pro Tools when recording, editing, and exporting professional-quality audio.