# How to send TIFF files

TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) files are often too big for email and chat apps. Here is how big they get and how to send them exactly as they are.

_Source: https://sharelargefilesfree.com/send-tiff-files · Updated 2026-10-13_

**Quick answer:** To send a large TIFF file, upload it to Share Large Video Files (up to 20 GB, no account) and share the download link: the file arrives unchanged. One high-resolution scan is about 120 MB, more than most email providers accept.

## What is a TIFF file?

TIFF is a high-quality image format used for scanning, printing, archiving and exporting edited photos at full quality. Scanners, museums, print shops and photo labs rely on it because it can store images without any lossy compression, in 8 or 16 bits per channel.

TIFFs are big because they are often uncompressed. The size is simple to estimate: width times height times bytes per pixel. A 45 MP photo saved as a 16-bit RGB TIFF is about 270 MB before any layers.

Extensions: .tif, .tiff.

## How big are TIFF files?

| File | Typical size |
| --- | --- |
| An A4 page scanned at 600 dpi in 24-bit colour | about 100 MB uncompressed |
| A 24 MP photo exported as 8-bit RGB TIFF | about 70 MB |
| A 45 MP photo exported as 16-bit RGB TIFF | about 270 MB |
| A 35 mm film negative scanned at 4000 dpi, 16-bit | roughly 120 to 130 MB |

## Which apps can send one?

Can you send one high-resolution scan (about 120 MB) as an attachment?

| App | Limit | Fits? |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Gmail | 25 MB per email | No, send a link |
| Outlook.com | 20 to 25 MB per email | No, send a link |
| WhatsApp (document) | 2 GB per file | Yes |
| Telegram | 2 GB per file | Yes |
| Facebook Messenger | 100 MB per file | No, send a link |
| Discord (free) | 20 MB per file | No, send a link |
| Slack | 1 GB per file | Yes |
| WeTransfer (free) | 3 GB per transfer | Yes |
| **Share Large Video Files** | 20 GB per transfer | Send the link anywhere |

Limits from our [file size limits by app](https://sharelargefilesfree.com/file-size-limits-by-app) table, checked against each service's help pages.

## How to send TIFF files without changing them

1. Open [Share Large Video Files](https://sharelargefilesfree.com/) in any browser and choose **Get a link** (or **Send by email**).
2. Drop TIFF files on the upload box, or pick a whole folder. Up to 20 GB and 1000 files per transfer.
3. Optional: add a password, a download limit or an expiry under More options.
4. Copy the link (or show the QR code) and send it by chat or email. The recipient downloads the original file, byte for byte.

## Tips for sending TIFF files

- Zip TIFFs before sending. Uncompressed TIFFs often shrink noticeably in a zip, unlike JPEGs.
- Tell a print shop which colour profile (for example Adobe RGB or a CMYK profile) is embedded.
- Flatten layers if the recipient only needs the final image; layered TIFFs can be much larger.
- Keep 16-bit files for archiving and retouching, and send 8-bit copies for simple viewing.

## How to open a TIFF file

**Windows:** the Photos app and Paint open standard TIFFs. **Mac:** Preview and Photos. **iPhone:** the Files app previews TIFF. **Android:** support varies; Google Photos may not show every TIFF, so an app such as a dedicated image viewer can help. Photoshop, GIMP and Affinity Photo open TIFF on desktop.

## Frequently asked questions

### Why are TIFF files so large?

They usually store every pixel without lossy compression, often at 16 bits per channel. A 45 MP 16-bit RGB TIFF is about 270 MB.

### Does zipping a TIFF lose quality?

No. Zip compression is lossless, and uncompressed TIFFs often shrink by a useful amount inside a zip.

### Can I send TIFF scans to a print shop by link?

Yes. Upload the TIFFs, share the link, and the shop downloads exactly the files you scanned, with no resizing or recompression.