TIFF To PDF
Convert TIFF images to PDF in seconds. Upload one or multiple TIFF/TIF files, arrange the order, and download a clean PDF for printing, archiving, and sharing scanned documents. Ideal for high-quality scans and multi-page image documents. Fast, secure, and free to use with no registration required.
TIFF to PDF Converter
The TIFF to PDF Converter turns TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) and TIF image files into PDF documents. Upload one or more TIFF files — including multi-page TIFFs — set the page size, orientation, and margin, and download the converted PDF. Single-page TIFFs produce single PDF pages; multi-page TIFFs produce multi-page PDFs with each embedded image as a separate page.
TIFF is the standard format for high-quality document scanning, fax archiving, medical imaging, legal records, and professional print workflows. It is the format most scanners use when set to archival or professional quality. Converting TIFF to PDF makes these files universally readable, printable without specialist software, and practical to share through email, document portals, and record management systems.
How to use the TIFF to PDF Converter
- Click Select a File or drag and drop your TIFF or TIF files into the upload area. Guest users can upload up to 5 files (10 MB each); registered users up to 20 files (40 MB each).
- If your TIFF is a multi-page file, upload it as a single file — the tool will extract each embedded page as a separate PDF page automatically. You do not need to enable Merge for multi-page TIFFs.
- Configure the page size, orientation, and margin. The settings reference table below covers every option and the situation each is best suited for.
- If you uploaded multiple single-page TIFF files that belong to the same document, enable the Merge toggle to combine them into one PDF. Set the correct page order before converting.
- Click Convert to PDF. Download the result and review the page count, page order, image clarity, and orientation before sharing or submitting.
Multi-page TIFF files — what they are and how conversion handles them
The most important thing that distinguishes TIFF from every other image format on ToolsPiNG is this: a single TIFF file can contain multiple pages. JPG, PNG, GIF, and BMP each store exactly one image per file. TIFF can store an entire document — 5 pages, 50 pages, or more — in a single .tiff file. This is why TIFF is the standard format for fax machines, document management systems, and professional scanners: one multi-page TIFF contains the complete scanned document.
When a multi-page TIFF is converted to PDF, each embedded image in the TIFF becomes a page in the output PDF. A 20-page fax archive stored as a single multi-page TIFF becomes a 20-page PDF after conversion. The Merge toggle is not involved — the pages are already combined within the TIFF file structure.
| Scenario | What to expect and what to do |
| Single-image TIFF (.tif, 1 page) | Straightforward conversion — one TIFF produces one PDF page. The output is a single-page PDF with the image embedded at its original quality. Standard for individual scanned pages, photographs, and standalone images. |
| Multi-page TIFF (.tiff, multiple pages in one file) | A multi-page TIFF contains several images stored within a single file. When converted, each page in the TIFF becomes a separate page in the output PDF — one TIFF file may produce a 5, 10, or 50-page PDF. This is the most common format for fax archives, scanned legal documents, and medical imaging records. After conversion, check the page count of the resulting PDF to confirm all pages were extracted correctly. |
| Batch of individual single-page TIFFs | Upload multiple single-page TIFF files and enable the Merge toggle to combine them into one PDF. This is the workflow for documents scanned page-by-page to individual TIFF files. Name files numerically (01-page.tiff, 02-page.tiff) before uploading to ensure correct page order in the merged PDF. |
| Multi-page TIFF that also needs merging with other files | Convert the multi-page TIFF to PDF first (each page becomes a PDF page), then use the Merge PDF tool to combine the resulting PDF with other documents. This gives you a complete multi-source document in one PDF. |
After converting a multi-page TIFF, always check the PDF page count. It should equal the number of pages in the original TIFF document. If the page count is lower than expected, some pages may not have been extracted. In this case, try splitting the TIFF into individual page files using image software (GIMP, IrfanView on Windows, or Preview on macOS) and converting each page separately — then use the Merge PDF tool to combine the individual page PDFs.
TIFF compression types — and why file size varies so much
Unlike BMP (which is always uncompressed) or JPG (which always uses lossy compression), TIFF is a flexible container format that supports multiple compression methods. The compression type determines the file size dramatically — a single A4 page at 300 DPI can range from under 50 KB (black-and-white fax compression) to over 25 MB (uncompressed color). Understanding which type your TIFF uses helps you anticipate the upload size and output PDF size:
| Compression type | Relative size | Typical source and notes |
| None (uncompressed) | Very large | Every pixel stored as raw data. Identical in size to an equivalent BMP file. Produced by some high-end scanners and archival imaging systems set to maximum fidelity. An A4 page at 300 DPI can be 25–50 MB. |
| LZW (Lossless Welch) | Moderate | Lossless compression using pattern-matching. Typical for color and greyscale document scans. Reduces file size by 30–60% compared to uncompressed, with no quality loss. Common in professional scanner software. |
| DEFLATE / ZIP | Moderate–small | Lossless compression using the same algorithm as PNG and ZIP files. Similar results to LZW for most content types. Less common but supported by most TIFF-capable software. |
| CCITT Group 4 (fax) | Small | A 1-bit (black and white only) compression standard originally developed for fax transmission. Extremely efficient for black-and-white documents — an A4 page at 300 DPI is typically 20–50 KB. The standard format for scanned legal documents, fax archives, and court filings. |
| JPEG within TIFF | Small | Lossy JPEG compression embedded inside a TIFF container. Used when the goal is colour photograph storage with small file sizes. Less common than standalone JPEG for most workflows. |
Uncompressed color TIFFs from high-end scanners can be very large — a single A4 page at 600 DPI uncompressed can exceed 50 MB. If files are too large for the guest upload limit, register a free ToolsPiNG account to access the 40 MB per file limit, or open the TIFF in any image editor (GIMP, IrfanView, macOS Preview) and re-save it with LZW compression enabled before uploading. LZW is lossless and reduces most color TIFF files by 30–60% without any quality loss.
Conversion settings — what each option does
| Setting | Option | When to use it |
| Page Size | ||
| Page Size | Fit (same page size as image) | The PDF page is sized to match the exact pixel dimensions of the TIFF. Use for archival TIFFs where preserving the original capture resolution and proportions is important, and no standard paper format is required. |
| Page Size | A4 (297 × 210 mm) | The TIFF image is scaled to fill a standard A4 page. The most appropriate choice for scanned documents — flatbed scanners set to scan A4 pages produce TIFF files that fit A4 precisely at the correct DPI. Use for all European, Asian, and international professional documents. |
| Page Size | US Letter (215.9 × 279.4 mm) | Use for documents scanned from US Letter paper, or for distribution to US-based institutions, law firms, medical facilities, and organizations that expect Letter-size pages. |
| Page Orientation | ||
| Orientation | Automatic | Detects each TIFF's aspect ratio and applies portrait or landscape per image. Strongly recommended for multi-page TIFFs and batches where pages may mix portrait and landscape orientations — medical records and legal document sets often contain both. |
| Orientation | Portrait | Forces all pages to portrait orientation. Correct for standard A4 and Letter document scans. Use when you know all pages are upright document pages. |
| Orientation | Landscape | Forces all pages to landscape. Use for wide-format documents, horizontally scanned forms, architectural drawings, and fax output that is wider than tall. |
| Margin | ||
| Margin | No Margin | The image fills the entire page. Appropriate when the TIFF already contains internal white margins from the scanning process — most flatbed scanner outputs include their own document borders. |
| Margin | Small Margin | A narrow white border (approximately 0.5 inch / 12 mm) is added. Use for documents that will be printed and reviewed — provides a natural holding area and improves visual comfort. |
| Margin | Big Margin | A wide white border (approximately 1 inch / 25 mm) is added. Use for formal submissions, legal filings, medical document packs, and any professional context requiring standard document margins. |
| Merge into single PDF | ||
| Merge | Enabled (checked) | All uploaded TIFF images are combined into one PDF in the sequence you set. Essential for batches of single-page TIFFs representing pages of the same document. Note: a multi-page TIFF file already produces multiple PDF pages automatically — Merge is only needed when you upload multiple separate TIFF files. |
| Merge | Disabled (unchecked) | Each TIFF file is converted to its own PDF. Use when each TIFF is an independent document rather than a page of a larger set. |
Common use cases and recommended settings
| Scenario | Recommended settings | Notes |
| Fax archive (multi-page TIFF) | Page size: A4 or US Letter. Orientation: Automatic. Margin: Small. Merge: N/A (single multi-page TIFF produces multiple PDF pages automatically). | Fax archives are almost always multi-page TIFFs with CCITT Group 4 (black and white) compression. Check the PDF page count against the number of fax pages to confirm all pages were extracted. Small margin improves printed readability. |
| Scanned legal or medical document | Page size: A4 or US Letter. Orientation: Portrait. Margin: Small. Merge: Enabled if multiple single-page TIFFs. | Legal and medical TIFFs are typically 300 DPI greyscale or color, one page per file. Portrait orientation is standard. Small margin keeps content accessible when printed for filing or review. |
| High-resolution archival scan for long-term storage | Page size: Fit. Orientation: Automatic. Margin: No Margin. Merge: Enabled or Disabled. | Fit preserves exact archival dimensions without scaling. No Margin ensures the full captured area is represented. Keep originals stored separately — PDF with embedded TIFF-quality images is large, and PDF is not ideal for the primary archival copy. |
| Professional imaging or print workflow | Page size: A4 or Fit. Orientation: Automatic. Margin: Big. Merge: Disabled (if individual plates or pages). | Big margin frames professional images and proofs cleanly. Fit is appropriate when the TIFF was produced at exact print dimensions. Disable Merge if each image is a separate deliverable (proof sheet, print plate, separate illustration). |
| Batch document processing from scanner software | Page size: A4 or US Letter. Orientation: Portrait. Margin: Small. Merge: Enabled. | Number TIFF files (01-page.tiff through n-page.tiff) before uploading for correct sequence. For batches exceeding the upload limit, merge in groups using the Merge PDF tool after converting each batch to PDF. |
TIFF vs PDF for archiving — which to keep
Both TIFF and PDF are used for long-term document archiving, but they serve different purposes. TIFF is the standard for archival image capture — it stores the raw pixel data with full fidelity, supports multiple compression schemes (including the lossless LZW), and is widely supported by imaging software. PDF (specifically PDF/A, the archival standard) is better suited for distributing, sharing, and accessing archived documents, because PDF is universally readable on any device without specialist imaging software.
The practical recommendation: keep the original TIFF files as the primary archival copy, and use the PDF conversion for distribution, sharing, and working copies. Converting to PDF does not replace the TIFF — it supplements it with a universally accessible format. This is the standard approach in legal, medical, and government document management systems.
Usage limits
| Account type | Daily conversions | Max file size | Images per session |
| Guest | 25 per day | 10 MB per file | Up to 5 images |
| Registered | 100 per day | 40 MB per file | Up to 20 images |
Related tools
- Image to PDF — convert PNG, JPG, GIF, BMP, TIFF, and other formats to PDF in one tool. Use for mixed-format batches.
- JPG to PDF — convert JPEG photographs. If a TIFF contains photographic content and file size is a concern, converting to JPG first reduces file size substantially.
- Merge PDF — combine the TIFF-converted PDF with other PDF documents, or join multiple batch-converted PDFs into one complete document.
- Organize PDF — reorder, rotate, or remove pages from the converted PDF. Useful after multi-page TIFF conversion if page order needs adjustment.
- PDF Compressor — reduce file size of large PDFs produced from high-resolution or uncompressed TIFF sources.
Frequently asked questions
What is a TIFF or TIF file?
TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) is a flexible, high-quality image format developed for professional scanning, printing, and archiving. It is the standard format for document scanners, fax systems, medical imaging equipment, and publishing workflows. Unlike most other image formats, TIFF can store multiple pages within a single file — a complete scanned document in one .tiff file. TIFF supports multiple compression modes (uncompressed, LZW lossless, CCITT Group 4 for fax) and full color depth, making it the format of choice wherever maximum image fidelity and long-term storage are priorities.
My TIFF is a multi-page file. Will all pages appear in the PDF?
Yes — when you upload a multi-page TIFF, the tool extracts each embedded page and places it as a separate page in the output PDF. A 10-page multi-page TIFF becomes a 10-page PDF. You do not need to enable the Merge toggle for multi-page TIFFs — the pages are already combined within the file. After conversion, check that the PDF page count matches the number of pages you expected. If pages are missing, try splitting the TIFF into individual pages using image software and converting each separately, then merge the individual PDFs.
What is the difference between a multi-page TIFF and multiple separate TIFF files?
A multi-page TIFF is a single .tiff file that contains multiple images stored sequentially inside one file. It looks like one file in your folder but represents a complete multi-page document. Multiple separate TIFFs are individual files — one file per page — that need to be merged to form a complete document. For multi-page TIFFs, upload the single file and the tool extracts all pages automatically. For separate TIFF files, upload all of them and enable the Merge toggle to combine them into one PDF.
Why are some TIFF files very small and others very large?
TIFF file size depends almost entirely on the compression method used. A black-and-white fax page compressed with CCITT Group 4 may be 20–50 KB. The same page stored as an uncompressed color TIFF at 600 DPI may be 50 MB or more. The compression type is set by the scanner or imaging software that created the TIFF. LZW-compressed color TIFFs are a moderate size (typically 70–88% smaller than uncompressed). If a TIFF file is too large to upload, open it in an image editor and re-save with LZW compression enabled — the quality is identical and the file will be substantially smaller.
Why is my converted PDF very large?
The PDF output embeds the TIFF image data, so file size reflects the source TIFF. High-resolution uncompressed TIFFs produce large PDFs. The most effective solution is the ToolsPiNG PDF Compressor: it re-encodes embedded images with efficient compression, typically reducing PDF file size by 40–70% without significant visual quality loss. Alternatively, if the source TIFF is uncompressed, re-save it with LZW compression in any image editor before converting — this reduces the source data the PDF has to embed.
Is TIFF or PDF better for long-term document archiving?
For archival purposes, keeping the original TIFF is recommended alongside the PDF. TIFF stores raw pixel data with full fidelity, is supported by all professional imaging software, and is the standard for archival image capture. PDF (specifically PDF/A) is better for distributing, sharing, and accessing documents because it is universally readable on any device. The standard practice in legal, medical, and government archiving is to maintain the TIFF as the primary archival copy and generate PDF versions for distribution and access. Converting to PDF does not replace the TIFF — it creates an accessible working copy.
Can I convert a fax archive (multi-page TIFF) to PDF?
Yes. Fax archives are almost universally stored as multi-page TIFF files using CCITT Group 4 compression (black and white). Upload the fax TIFF file and the tool will extract each fax page as a PDF page. The output is a PDF document with each fax page in sequence. For fax archives, A4 or US Letter page size with Automatic orientation and Small margin produces the cleanest result. Check the page count after conversion to confirm all fax pages were extracted.
Is the TIFF to PDF Converter free?
Yes. The converter is free within the daily usage limits shown above. Guest users can run 25 conversion sessions per day and upload up to 5 files per session (10 MB each) without creating an account. Registering a free ToolsPiNG account increases the daily limit to 100 sessions, the file size limit to 40 MB per file — which covers most high-resolution and multi-page TIFF files — and the per-session file count to 20.