FilesWiki
Home : Extensions : .iff files

.iff File Extension

File Type Interchange File Format

Developer Electronic Arts
Category Audio files
File Format Binary

IFF file type

An IFF file is a universal file format created by Electronic Arts. It may contain image, text, or audio data and is used for interchanging different types of data across applications and platforms. IFF files are supported by many programs and are used as the basis for several other file formats, including AIFF.

More Information

IFF files are comprised of sections of data called "chunks," which are defined by four-letter IDs. There are three main chunk types, each of which may contain text, numerical data, or raw data:

  • FORM: specifies the format of the file
  • LIST: includes the properties of the file
  • CAT: contains the rest of the data
The IFF format is also known as "EA IFF 1985" since Electronic Arts designed the file format in 1985.

NOTE: IFF files used by The Sims and The Sims Online can be edited using IFF Snooper for the Mac platform or IFF Pencil for Windows.

Programs that open IFF files

Windows
FMJ-Software Awave Studio
ShedWorx Smart Converter
ACD Systems Canvas
ACD Systems ACDSee
Corel PaintShop Pro
Adobe Audition
XnViewMP
Okino Computer Graphics PolyTrans
Cloanto Amiga Forever
Corel VideoStudio
IrfanView
Linux
XnViewMP
Cloanto Amiga Forever
Macintosh
Adobe Audition
XnViewMP
Cloanto Amiga Forever
Blackmagic Design Fusion for Mac
IFFSnooper

About IFF Files

Our goal is to explain what .iff file is used for for and how to open it.

File Interchange File Format usage cases for Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS software listed on this page have been individually researched and verified using the FilesWiki team. We strive for 100% accuracy and only publish information about file formats that we have tested and verified.