Convert XPS to TIFF

TIFF is the format of choice for document archiving and fax systems: it supports lossless compression, multiple pages in a single file, and is widely accepted by document management systems and fax servers. This converter outputs PDF and JPG, not TIFF directly — but TIFF is a straightforward second step from either of those.

This guide covers two routes: the full lossless path (XPS → PDF → TIFF) and the quick image path (XPS → JPG) for when lossless multipage TIFF is not strictly required.

Why TIFF for documents?

TIFF (‘Tagged Image File Format’) has been the archiving standard in document management, legal, medical, and government systems for decades. Key reasons it persists:

Lossless compression — Group 4 (fax) or LZW compression loses no pixel data, unlike JPEG.
Multipage containers — a single .tiff file can hold every page of a document, which PDF also does but JPEG does not.
Fax compatibility — virtually all fax servers accept TIFF-G4 as an input format.
DMS and ECM systems — platforms like Laserfiche, OpenText, and DocuWare typically ingest TIFF natively.

For web or email use, JPG or PDF is usually more practical.

Route 1: XPS → PDF → multipage TIFF

This gives you a proper lossless, multipage TIFF file.

Upload your XPS and choose PDF output. Download the PDF.
Convert the PDF to TIFF using one of these free tools:
- GIMP (Windows/macOS/Linux): File → Open the PDF, then File → Export As → .tif. GIMP will ask whether to export all layers (pages) as a multipage TIFF — tick that option.
- ImageMagick: convert -compress lzw input.pdf output.tiff (or -compress Group4 for fax-compatible G4). Requires Ghostscript installed alongside ImageMagick for PDF rendering.
- IrfanView (Windows, free): File → Open PDF, then File → Save As → TIFF; the “Multipage TIFF” option is in the save dialogue.

Step 1: Convert XPS to PDF

Up to 20 files at once · 25 MB per file · no watermark · files deleted within 60 minutes.

Route 2: XPS → JPG page images (quick path)

If your downstream system accepts JPEG images or individual page images rather than a strict multipage TIFF, choose JPG output in the converter. Each page becomes a 300 DPI JPEG. Multi-page documents download as a ZIP. This is instant and requires no further software.

JPG is lossy but rendered at 300 DPI with high-quality settings, so text is sharp and suitable for most practical archiving needs. It is not appropriate for fax servers expecting TIFF-G4 or for systems requiring pixel-perfect lossless archiving.

Resolution and quality notes

When exporting TIFF from a PDF, the resolution you choose matters:

150 DPI — adequate for on-screen reading; not recommended for print or fax (fax standard is 200–204 DPI).
200–300 DPI — the standard range for fax-compatible TIFF and document archiving. Most tools default to 300 DPI.
600 DPI — used when very fine detail or small text must be preserved; file sizes become large.

ImageMagick’s -density 300 flag sets the output resolution. In GIMP the resolution is set when you first open the PDF (the import dialogue has a resolution field).

Frequently asked questions

Does XPS2PDF.co.uk output TIFF directly?

No — it outputs PDF or JPG. For TIFF, the route is XPS→PDF here, then PDF→TIFF using GIMP, ImageMagick, or IrfanView. All three are free.

What compression should I use for fax TIFF?

Group 4 (CCITT G4) compression is the fax standard for black-and-white documents. In ImageMagick use -compress Group4. In GIMP, the TIFF export dialogue offers a compression selector; choose CCITT Group 4.

Can I create a multipage TIFF from a multi-page XPS?

Yes. Convert the XPS to a multi-page PDF here, then export as multipage TIFF using GIMP (select all layers on export) or ImageMagick (it concatenates all PDF pages into one TIFF automatically).

Is there a file size limit for the XPS converter?

Yes: 25 MB per file and up to 20 files per batch. If your XPS is larger, splitting it beforehand is the only option as the tool cannot process files exceeding 25 MB.

Why does my TIFF look blurry after conversion?

The render resolution was set too low during the PDF→TIFF step. Re-export at 300 DPI (or 600 DPI for fine text). In ImageMagick add -density 300 before the input filename.

Last updated: June 2026