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Image MIME Reference
KTX2

Khronos Texture 2.0

image/ktx2
VS

Extended Image File Format

image/vnd.xiff
XIFF

A complete technical comparison of Khronos Texture 2.0 and Extended Image File Format — covering compression, feature support, browser compatibility, magic bytes, and when to choose each format.

Equal browser support

Feature Support

Feature KTX2 XIFF
Transparency (Alpha) Yes ✕ No
Animation Support ✕ No ✕ No
Progressive Loading ✕ No ✕ No
HDR Support Yes ✕ No
EXIF Metadata ✕ No ✕ No
ICC Color Profile ✕ No ✕ No
Khronos Texture 2.0
image/ktx2
Extension
.ktx2
Container KTX 2.0
Compression Basis Universal (ETC1S / UASTC) / Zstandard (zstd) Supercompression / Uncompressed
Algorithm
ETC1SUASTCZstandard (zstd)Raw GPU Formats (ASTC, BCn)
Color Depth 8-bit, 16-bit, 32-bit (Float)
Developed by Khronos Group
Released 2021
Magic Bytes
AB 4B 54 58 20 32 30 BB 0D 0A 1A 0A
Full KTX2 reference →
Extended Image File Format
image/vnd.xiff
Extension
.xif
Container TIFF-based Proprietary Container
Compression CCITT Group 3 / Group 4 / LZW / Uncompressed
Algorithm
CCITT Group 4LZWNone
Color Depth 1-bit (Monochrome), 8-bit (Grayscale), 24-bit (RGB)
Developed by Keyfile Corporation
Released 1994
Magic Bytes
49 49 2A 00 or 4D 4D 00 2A
Full XIFF reference →

Browser Support Comparison

Browser KTX2 XIFF
Chrome Chrome
✕ ✕
Firefox Firefox
✕ ✕
Safari Safari
✕ ✕
Edge Edge
✕ ✕
IE IE (Legacy)
✕ ✕
KTX2

KTX2 Strengths

  • Universal hardware compatibility: write once, transcode anywhere to the target GPU's preferred format (ASTC, BC7, PVRTC, etc.)
  • Drastically reduces transmission size over networks thanks to Basis Universal and Zstandard supercompression
  • Seamless integration with the glTF ecosystem for optimized 3D asset delivery
Limitations
  • Requires WebAssembly (Wasm) decoders and JavaScript loaders for web viewing, increasing initial application payload slightly
  • Encoding textures into high-quality Basis Universal UASTC can be computationally intensive and slow
  • Zero support in traditional 2D image viewers or native OS previews
XIFF

XIFF Strengths

  • Pioneered early enterprise document workflow integration by binding administrative routing data directly to the document image file
  • Leveraged efficient fax compression standards to keep storage requirements low on 1990s server infrastructure
Limitations
  • Completely proprietary and obsolete; Keyfile Corporation's software ecosystem no longer exists
  • Causes widespread MIME type identification conflicts due to sharing the exact same binary header signature as standard TIFF files
  • Zero support in modern operating systems or web browsers

When to choose which format

KTX2
Use KTX2 when…
  • glTF 3D Models (KHR_texture_basisu)
  • WebGPU and WebGL Applications
  • Game Engines (Unity, Unreal, Godot)
  • Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR)
XIFF
Use XIFF when…
  • Keyfile Enterprise Document Management
  • Legacy Corporate Workflow Archival
  • Scanned Multi-page Document Routing

More comparisons

KTX2 vs ACES → XIFF vs ACES → KTX2 vs APNG → XIFF vs APNG → KTX2 vs AVCI → XIFF vs AVCI → KTX2 vs AVCS → XIFF vs AVCS → KTX2 vs AVIF → XIFF vs AVIF → All comparisons →
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