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How Do I Change The Size Of A TIFF File?

Published Aug 29, 2025 6 min read
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To change the size of a TIFF file, you can modify its pixel dimensions, change its resolution, adjust its color depth, apply file compression, or remove embedded data.

The method you choose depends on your goals for quality and file size. Pixel dimension and resolution changes are the most direct ways to alter size, while compression techniques can reduce file size without a visible loss of quality. You can perform these changes using professional photo editors like Adobe Photoshop, free software like GIMP or IrfanView, or online conversion tools.

Understanding the TIFF format

Before modifying a TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) file, it helps to understand its characteristics. TIFF is popular in graphic design and photography for its ability to store high-quality raster graphics and image data.

  • Flexibility and adaptability: TIFF files can hold a wide range of image data and can be a container for multiple images, pages, and layers.
  • Lossless compression: While TIFFs can be uncompressed, they also support lossless compression methods like LZW and ZIP, which reduce file size without losing any image data.
  • Archival quality: Because they can be edited and re-saved without losing quality, TIFFs are a useful format for image archives.
  • Large file size: A major trade-off for their high quality and flexibility is that TIFF files are often very large, especially when uncompressed or when storing high-resolution, multi-layered images.

Method 1: Resize pixel dimensions

Resizing the pixel dimensions of an image is the most direct way to change its size. This method alters the image's width and height, directly impacting the number of pixels it contains.

How to resize pixel dimensions in Adobe Photoshop

  1. Open the TIFF file in Adobe Photoshop.
  2. Go to Image > Image Size.
  3. In the Image Size dialog box, you can change the dimensions by entering new values for Width and Height. You can specify the units in pixels, inches, or centimeters.
  4. To maintain the original aspect ratio, make sure the chain icon is enabled.
  5. Set the Resample method.
    • To reduce size: Use "Bicubic Sharper" for a clearer downsampled image.
    • To increase size: Use "Preserve Details 2.0" or "Bicubic Smoother" to add pixels with the least amount of quality loss. However, be aware that upscaling an image will always decrease its sharpness.
  6. Click OK to apply the changes.
  7. Save the file by going to File > Save As and ensure the TIFF format is selected.

How to resize pixel dimensions using Preview on Mac

  1. Open the TIFF file with Preview.
  2. Click on Tools in the menu bar, then select Adjust Size.
  3. Enter new dimensions in the width or height fields. You can also change the resolution (DPI) here.
  4. Click OK.

Method 2: Change the resolution (PPI/DPI)

Image resolution, measured in Pixels Per Inch (PPI) or Dots Per Inch (DPI), affects the image's print size and file size. Reducing the PPI can significantly decrease the file size, especially for print-quality images (300+ PPI) that will only be used online (72 PPI).

How to change resolution in Adobe Photoshop

  1. Open your TIFF file in Adobe Photoshop.
  2. Go to Image > Image Size.
  3. In the dialog box, uncheck the Resample option. This will allow you to change the resolution without changing the image's total pixel count, which alters the print dimensions but not the file size.
  4. If you want to reduce the pixel count (and thus the file size), leave the Resample box checked and enter a lower value in the Resolution field.
  5. Click OK and save your file.

Method 3: Apply file compression

Compression is a highly effective way to reduce TIFF file size, particularly for uncompressed files, without altering the image's dimensions or resolution.

Compression options during "Save As" in Photoshop

When you save a TIFF file in Photoshop, you can choose from various compression methods in the TIFF Options dialog box.

Lossless compression (recommended)

  • ZIP: This is a widely supported lossless compression method that is generally very effective for a variety of image types, including those with gradients or a wide range of colors.
  • LZW: Another lossless option, LZW works best on images with large areas of solid color. It is also very compatible with most software. Note that for 16-bit TIFFs, ZIP compression is often more effective.
  • PackBits: This is a simple run-length encoding method that is most effective on images with large areas of repetitive patterns or single-color blocks, but less effective for complex photos.

Lossy compression (use with caution)

  • JPEG: You can save a TIFF with JPEG compression, which significantly reduces file size by discarding image data. However, this is a "lossy" method, meaning some image quality is permanently lost. This is not recommended if you need to maintain the highest quality for printing or future edits.

Method 4: Reduce color depth or convert to grayscale

The color depth, or bit depth, determines the number of colors available in an image. Reducing the color depth can drastically reduce the file size, especially if the file started with a high bit depth (e.g., 16-bit or 32-bit).

How to reduce color depth in Photoshop

  1. Open your TIFF in Photoshop.
  2. Go to Image > Mode.
  3. If the image is in 16-bit or 32-bit color, you can change it to 8 Bits/Channel.
  4. Alternatively, if the image does not contain color information that needs to be preserved, you can convert it to Grayscale. For documents with minimal color, even converting to Monochrome can significantly reduce file size.
  5. Save the file as a TIFF.

Method 5: Flatten layers and remove metadata

If your TIFF file contains multiple layers or extensive metadata, these elements can add significantly to the overall file size.

How to flatten layers

  1. Open the file in Photoshop.
  2. Navigate to the Layers panel.
  3. Click the menu icon in the top-right corner and select Flatten Image. This will merge all visible layers into a single background layer.
  4. Save the file to apply the changes.

How to remove metadata

Some software will allow you to strip metadata (like authoring, copyright, and camera information) from the file during the save process, further reducing its size.

Choosing the right software

The best tool for the job depends on your needs and budget.

For professional editing

  • Adobe Photoshop: The industry standard, offering the most comprehensive set of tools for every method listed above.
  • Affinity Photo: A powerful and affordable alternative to Photoshop that supports advanced TIFF editing.
  • GIMP: A free and open-source image editor with extensive features, including support for TIFF files.

For quick edits and batch processing

  • IrfanView: A fast and lightweight image viewer and editor for Windows that can apply basic resizing and compression.
  • Preview (Mac): macOS's built-in image viewer can perform simple resizing and resolution changes.
  • Online TIFF Resizers: Websites like XConvert or File Format Apps allow you to upload and resize TIFFs for free, though they are best for simple adjustments.

Final recommendations

To achieve the best results when changing the size of your TIFF, follow these steps:

  1. Analyze your needs: Decide if you need to reduce the dimensions, file size, or both.
  2. Start with compression: Apply lossless compression (LZW or ZIP) first, as this can significantly reduce the file size without any quality loss.
  3. Adjust color depth: If your image can be converted to grayscale or a lower bit depth without affecting its purpose, do so for additional file size reduction.
  4. Flatten layers: If you no longer need individual layers for future edits, flatten the image to save more space.
  5. Change dimensions or resolution: If the file size is still too large, or if you need smaller dimensions for a specific application (like web use), then resize the image or reduce its PPI. Always work with a copy of your original file to preserve the highest quality version.
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