Color space of image data. EXIF mandatory tag.
Standard values: 1 (sRGB), 0xFFFF (Uncalibrated).
Non-standard values: 2 (Adobe RGB, some cameras), 0xFFFD (Wide Gamut RGB, Sony), 0xFFFE (ICC Profile, Sony).
Adobe RGB is typically indicated by 'Uncalibrated' with InteropIndex='R03'.
When an image was digitized (captured by camera sensor). MWG composite tag that reconciles EXIF:CreateDate, IPTC digital creation fields, and XMP-xmp:CreateDate.
Distinct from DateTimeOriginal (when photo was taken) - useful for scanned images.
For MOV/MP4 videos, use CreateDate instead of DateTimeOriginal.
When a photo was taken (shutter actuation time). MWG composite tag that reconciles EXIF:DateTimeOriginal, IPTC date/time created, and XMP-photoshop DateTimeOriginal.
This is the most commonly used timestamp for photos. Different from CreateDate (digitization) and ModifyDate (file modification).
Image caption or description. MWG composite tag that reconciles EXIF:ImageDescription, IPTC:Caption-Abstract, and XMP-dc:Description.
Writing updates all three locations for MWG compliance. Supports language variants via RFC 3066 codes (e.g., 'Description-fr').
Video/audio duration. QuickTime: stored in time scale units, converted to seconds using TimeScale.
ExifTool formats as 'H:MM:SS' or seconds. Some iPhone live-photo MOV videos may show key frame time instead of total duration.
EXIF specification version (e.g., '0232' for EXIF 2.32). EXIF mandatory tag.
Stored as 4-byte ASCII without separators. ExifTool accepts '2.32' format when writing.
Some files incorrectly include null terminators which ExifTool removes.
Exposure bias/compensation in EV units (e.g., -0.67, +1.0). Also called ExposureBiasValue in EXIF spec.
Signed value indicating deviation from metered exposure.
Shutter speed in seconds (e.g., '1/250'). Primary source for ShutterSpeed composite.
To write shutter speed, use this tag directly. BulbDuration takes priority in ShutterSpeed composite if present and > 0.
Flash status and mode as bitfield. Common values:
0x00 (No Flash), 0x01 (Fired), 0x05 (Fired, Return not detected), 0x07 (Fired, Return detected),
0x10 (Off, Did not fire), 0x18 (Auto, Did not fire), 0x19 (Auto, Fired),
0x41 (Fired, Red-eye reduction), 0x59 (Auto, Fired, Red-eye reduction).
Bit 0: fired, Bit 1-2: return detection, Bit 3-4: mode, Bit 5: function present, Bit 6: red-eye mode.
Lens aperture as f-number (e.g., 2.8, 5.6). Primary source for Aperture composite.
To write aperture, use this tag - it's more intuitive than ApertureValue (which uses APEX units).
Lens focal length in millimeters. Actual focal length, not 35mm equivalent.
For 35mm equivalent, see FocalLengthIn35mmFormat or FocalLength35efl composite.
GPS altitude in meters. Always stored as positive value; sign determined by GPSAltitudeRef.
Composite GPSAltitude combines this with Ref to return signed value with 'Above/Below Sea Level' text.
GPS latitude stored as three rationals (degrees, minutes, seconds). Always positive; hemisphere from GPSLatitudeRef.
ExifTool accepts decimal degrees, DMS, or mixed formats when writing. Composite GPSLatitude returns signed decimal.
GPS longitude stored as three rationals (degrees, minutes, seconds). Always positive; hemisphere from GPSLongitudeRef.
ExifTool accepts decimal degrees, DMS, or mixed formats when writing. Composite GPSLongitude returns signed decimal.
GPS speed of camera movement during capture. Units determined by GPSSpeedRef (K=km/h, M=mph, N=knots).
Must be paired with GPSSpeedRef for meaningful interpretation.
Unique identifier for the image, typically a 32-character hex string.
Useful for image deduplication, tracking identity across edits, and linking related files (e.g., RAW + JPEG pairs).
May also appear in MakerNotes and XMP.
Camera ISO sensitivity rating. In EXIF, this is an array (int16u[n]) that can contain multiple values.
Historically called ISOSpeedRatings in EXIF 2.2, renamed to PhotographicSensitivity in EXIF 2.3.
Identifies actual lens model using manufacturer-specific lookup tables from partial type information.
Configurable: may be extended with user-defined lenses via ExifTool configuration.
Different derivation logic for Canon (focal lengths), Nikon (LensIDNumber), Ricoh (LensFirmware), and others (XMP-aux:LensID).
Read-only composite.
When the file was last modified by a user (not automatic processes). MWG composite tag that reconciles EXIF:ModifyDate and XMP-xmp:ModifyDate.
Should reflect intentional user edits, not automatic metadata updates. Different from file system modification time.
"(Binary data 2060 bytes, use -b option to extract)"
OptionalParametricDarks
ParametricDarks?:number
Frequency
🔥 ☆☆☆☆ (0%)
Groups
XMP
Example
0
OptionalParametricHighlights
ParametricHighlights?:number
Frequency
🔥 ☆☆☆☆ (0%)
Groups
XMP
Example
0
OptionalParametricHighlightSplit
ParametricHighlightSplit?:number
Frequency
🔥 ☆☆☆☆ (0%)
Groups
XMP
Example
75
OptionalParametricLights
ParametricLights?:number
Frequency
🔥 ☆☆☆☆ (0%)
Groups
XMP
Example
0
OptionalParametricMidtoneSplit
ParametricMidtoneSplit?:number
Frequency
🔥 ☆☆☆☆ (0%)
Groups
XMP
Example
50
OptionalParametricShadows
ParametricShadows?:number
Frequency
🔥 ☆☆☆☆ (0%)
Groups
XMP
Example
0
OptionalParametricShadowSplit
ParametricShadowSplit?:number
Frequency
🔥 ☆☆☆☆ (0%)
Groups
XMP
Example
25
OptionalPersonInImage
PersonInImage?:string|string[]
Frequency
🔥 ☆☆☆☆ (0%)
Groups
XMP
Example
["John Doe"]
Remarks
Name(s) of person(s) shown in the image. XMP-iptcExt namespace.
Simpler alternative to MWG RegionInfo when face coordinates aren't needed.
Multi-value field; array when multiple people identified.
Structured details about person(s) shown in the image. XMP-iptcExt namespace.
Includes PersonId, PersonName, PersonCharacteristic, PersonDescription.
More detailed than PersonInImage; IPTC Extension 2014+ standard.
Star rating for the image. MWG composite tag from XMP-xmp:Rating.
Valid values: -1 (rejected), 0 (unrated), 1-5 (star rating)
Note: Rating may appear in EXIF but that's non-standard per MWG. Only XMP writes are supported.
Height of region(s) as normalized value (0-1). From XMP-mwg-rs namespace.
Flattened from RegionInfo struct (requires struct=0). Array when multiple regions.
Width of region(s) as normalized value (0-1). From XMP-mwg-rs namespace.
Flattened from RegionInfo struct (requires struct=0). Array when multiple regions.
Horizontal center of region(s) as normalized value (0-1). From XMP-mwg-rs namespace.
Flattened from RegionInfo struct (requires struct=0). Array when multiple regions.
Vertical center of region(s) as normalized value (0-1). From XMP-mwg-rs namespace.
Flattened from RegionInfo struct (requires struct=0). Array when multiple regions.
Microsoft Photo region metadata structure (XMP-MP namespace).
Alternative format to MWG regions, used by Windows Photo Gallery and some Microsoft tools.
Name(s) of identified region(s), typically person names for face regions.
From XMP-mwg-rs namespace. Flattened from RegionInfo struct (requires struct=0).
For Lightroom compatibility, also add names to Keywords/Subject.
Display name(s) for person(s) in face regions.
From XMP-MP namespace (Microsoft Photo), not XMP-mwg-rs.
Flattened from RegionInfoMP struct (requires struct=0).
Image title. XMP-dc (Dublin Core) namespace - use this standard schema instead of non-standard XMP-xmp:Title.
Supports language variants via RFC 3066 codes (e.g., 'Title-fr'). Using 'x-default' language code preserves other existing languages when writing.
White balance mode. Standard EXIF values: 0 (Auto), 1 (Manual).
MakerNotes often contain more detailed WhiteBalance with values like Daylight, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom, etc.
EXIF:WhiteBalance has lower priority than MakerNotes version when both exist.
See
https://exiftool.org/TagNames/XMP.html