How to read this reference
- ExifTool tag: the name to use with ExifTool, such as
-XMP-dc:Subject. - XMP: the property as the XMP and IPTC specifications name it, namespace prefix first.
- IIM: the legacy IPTC record and dataset, such as
2:25for keywords. - EXIF: the EXIF tag the camera writes, where the field has one.
- Video: the key Parergon uses for the field in MOV and MP4 files.
Each field has its own link: click its name to get the address of that row. Fields you define yourself (Parergon's custom fields) are not listed here.
Three things that trip people up
- One value, several homes. A caption can sit in XMP
dc:description, in IIM 2:120 and in EXIF ImageDescription. Apps read different ones, so a value that seems to have disappeared is often still in the file, in a copy the other app does not read. - Three dates, at least. DateTimeOriginal, CreateDate and ModifyDate in EXIF, IPTC Date Created, and a creation date in QuickTime for video, which is meant to be UTC. When they disagree, so does the sort order of your library.
- IIM is short, XMP is not. The legacy IIM record caps many datasets at a few dozen bytes; XMP keeps the full text. Write both, and treat XMP as the authoritative copy.
Descriptive
What the picture shows and what it is called: title, description, keywords, dates and subject codes.
| Field | ExifTool tag | XMP | IIM | EXIF | Video | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Title | XMP-dc: | dc: | 2:05 | — | QuickTime: | |
| Description | XMP-dc: | dc: | 2:120 | ImageDescription | QuickTime: | Several languages |
| Headline | XMP-photoshop: | photoshop: | 2:105 | — | XMP-photoshop: | |
| Keywords | XMP-dc: | dc: | 2:25 | — | QuickTime: | List |
| Caption Writer | XMP-photoshop: | photoshop: | 2:122 | — | — | |
| Instructions | XMP-photoshop: | photoshop: | 2:40 | — | — | |
| Date Created | XMP-photoshop: | photoshop: | 2:55 | DateTimeOriginal | QuickTime: | Date |
| Intellectual Genre | XMP-iptcCore: | Iptc4xmpCore: | 2:04 | — | — | Pick list |
| User Comment | EXIF: | exif: | — | UserComment | QuickTime: | |
| Subject Code | XMP-iptcCore: | Iptc4xmpCore: | 2:12 | — | — | List · Pick list |
| Alt Text (Accessibility) | XMP-iptcCore: | Iptc4xmpCore: | — | — | — | Several languages |
| Extended Description (Accessibility) | XMP-iptcCore: | Iptc4xmpCore: | — | — | — | Several languages |
| Scene Code | XMP-iptcCore: | Iptc4xmpCore: | — | — | — | List · Pick list |
| Image Title | EXIF: | — | — | ImageTitle | — | |
| Finder Tags | — | — | — | — | — | macOS Finder, not stored in the file; read-only |
| Finder Comment | — | — | — | — | — | macOS Finder, not stored in the file; read-only |
Scroll the table sideways for the remaining columns
Creator
Who made the image and how to reach them.
| Field | ExifTool tag | XMP | IIM | EXIF | Video | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creator | XMP-dc: | dc: | 2:80 | Artist | QuickTime: | List |
| Creator Job Title | XMP-photoshop: | photoshop: | 2:85 | — | — | |
| Creator Address | XMP-iptcCore: | Iptc4xmpCore: | — | — | — | |
| Creator City | XMP-iptcCore: | Iptc4xmpCore: | — | — | — | |
| Creator State/Region | XMP-iptcCore: | Iptc4xmpCore: | — | — | — | |
| Creator Postal Code | XMP-iptcCore: | Iptc4xmpCore: | — | — | — | |
| Creator Country | XMP-iptcCore: | Iptc4xmpCore: | — | — | — | |
| Creator Phone | XMP-iptcCore: | Iptc4xmpCore: | — | — | — | |
| Creator Email | XMP-iptcCore: | Iptc4xmpCore: | — | — | — | |
| Creator Website | XMP-iptcCore: | Iptc4xmpCore: | — | — | — | |
| Photographer | EXIF: | — | — | Photographer | — | |
| Image Editor | EXIF: | — | — | ImageEditor | — |
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Rights
Copyright, usage terms and the PLUS licensing fields, including the parties behind a license.
| Field | ExifTool tag | XMP | IIM | EXIF | Video | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copyright Notice | XMP-dc: | dc: | 2:116 | Copyright | QuickTime: | Several languages |
| Usage Terms | XMP-xmpRights: | xmpRights: | — | — | XMP-xmpRights: | Several languages |
| Web Statement | XMP-xmpRights: | xmpRights: | — | — | — | |
| Credit Line | XMP-photoshop: | photoshop: | 2:110 | — | XMP-photoshop: | |
| Source | XMP-photoshop: | photoshop: | 2:115 | — | XMP-photoshop: | |
| Licensor | XMP-plus: | plus: | — | — | — | List of structures: ID, Name, Street Address, Extended Address, City, Region, Postal Code, Country, Phone 1 Type, Phone 1, Phone 2 Type, Phone 2, Email, URL |
| Copyright Status | XMP-xmpRights: | xmpRights: | — | — | — | Pick list |
| Registry Entry | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | List of structures: Item ID, Organisation ID, Role |
| Linked Encoded Rights Expression | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | List of structures: Link, Media Type, Language ID |
| Embedded Encoded Rights Expression | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | List of structures: Expression, Media Type, Language ID |
| Image Creator | XMP-plus: | plus: | — | — | — | List of structures: ID, Name |
Scroll the table sideways for the remaining columns
Location
Where the image was made, in words and as GPS coordinates.
| Field | ExifTool tag | XMP | IIM | EXIF | Video | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| City | XMP-photoshop: | photoshop: | 2:90 | — | XMP-photoshop: | |
| State/Province | XMP-photoshop: | photoshop: | 2:95 | — | XMP-photoshop: | |
| Country | XMP-photoshop: | photoshop: | 2:101 | — | XMP-photoshop: | |
| Country Code | XMP-iptcCore: | Iptc4xmpCore: | 2:100 | — | XMP-iptcCore: | |
| Sublocation | XMP-iptcCore: | Iptc4xmpCore: | 2:92 | — | XMP-iptcCore: | |
| GPS Latitude | EXIF: | exif: | — | GPSLatitude | QuickTime: | |
| GPS Longitude | EXIF: | exif: | — | GPSLongitude | QuickTime: | |
| GPS Altitude | EXIF: | exif: | — | GPSAltitude | QuickTime: | |
| GPS Image Direction | EXIF: | exif: | — | GPSImgDirection | — | |
| World Region | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — |
Scroll the table sideways for the remaining columns
IPTC Extension
The IPTC Extension schema: people, products, artwork, events, image regions, AI provenance and more.
| Field | ExifTool tag | XMP | IIM | EXIF | Video | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Person Shown | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | List |
| Event | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | |
| Organisation Shown | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | List |
| Location Created | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | |
| Location Shown | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | |
| Artwork or Object | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | |
| Digital Source Type | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | Pick list |
| Copyright Owner | XMP-plus: | plus: | — | — | — | List of structures: ID, Name |
| Model Age | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | List |
| Model Release ID | XMP-plus: | plus: | — | — | — | List |
| Model Release Status | XMP-plus: | plus: | — | — | — | Pick list |
| Property Release ID | XMP-plus: | plus: | — | — | — | List |
| Property Release Status | XMP-plus: | plus: | — | — | — | Pick list |
| Minor Model Age Disclosure | XMP-plus: | plus: | — | — | — | Pick list |
| Additional Model Info | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | |
| Image Supplier | XMP-plus: | plus: | — | — | — | List of structures: ID, Name |
| Image Supplier Image ID | XMP-plus: | plus: | — | — | — | |
| AI System Used | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | |
| AI System Version Used | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | |
| AI Prompt Information | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | |
| AI Prompt Writer Name | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | |
| Other Constraints | XMP-plus: | plus: | — | — | — | Several languages |
| Contributor | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | List of structures: Name, Identifier, Role |
| Event Identifier | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | List |
| Data Mining | XMP-plus: | plus: | — | — | — | Pick list |
| Digital Image GUID | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | |
| Max Available Width | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | |
| Max Available Height | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | |
| Organisation Code | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | List |
| Image Creator Image ID | XMP-plus: | plus: | — | — | — | |
| Image Regions | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | Edited in its own window · List of structures: Region Boundary, Region ID, Name, Content Type, Role, Persons, Organisations, Description |
| About (CV Term) | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | List of structures: Term Name, Term ID, Vocabulary ID, Refined About |
| Person Shown with Details | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | List of structures: Name, Identifier, Characteristic, Description |
| Genre (CV Term) | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | Pick list · List of structures: Term Name, Term ID, Vocabulary ID, Refined About |
| Product Shown | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | List of structures: Name, GTIN, Identifier, Description |
| Location Created - Sublocation | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | |
| Location Created - City | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | |
| Location Created - State/Province | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | |
| Location Created - Country | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | |
| Location Created - Country Code | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | |
| Location Created - World Region | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | |
| Location Created - Location Name | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | |
| Location Created - Location ID | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | |
| Location Created - GPS Latitude | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | |
| Location Created - GPS Longitude | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | |
| Location Created - GPS Altitude | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | |
| Location Created - GPS Altitude Ref | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | Pick list |
| Location Shown - Sublocation | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | |
| Location Shown - City | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | |
| Location Shown - State/Province | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | |
| Location Shown - Country | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | |
| Location Shown - Country Code | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | |
| Location Shown - World Region | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | |
| Location Shown - Location Name | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | |
| Location Shown - Location ID | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | |
| Location Shown - GPS Latitude | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | |
| Location Shown - GPS Longitude | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | |
| Location Shown - GPS Altitude | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | |
| Location Shown - GPS Altitude Ref | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | Pick list |
| Artwork - Title | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | Several languages |
| Artwork - Creator | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | List |
| Artwork - Creator ID | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | List |
| Artwork - Date Created | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | Date |
| Artwork - Circa Date | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | |
| Artwork - Source | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | |
| Artwork - Inventory Number | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | |
| Artwork - Inventory URL | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | |
| Artwork - Copyright Notice | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | |
| Artwork - Copyright Owner | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | |
| Artwork - Copyright Owner ID | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | |
| Artwork - Licensor Name | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | |
| Artwork - Licensor ID | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | |
| Artwork - Style/Period | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | List |
| Artwork - Physical Description | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | Several languages |
| Artwork - Content Description | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | Several languages |
| Artwork - Contribution Description | XMP-iptcExt: | Iptc4xmpExt: | — | — | — | Several languages |
Scroll the table sideways for the remaining columns
Technical
What the camera recorded: make, model, lens, exposure and the Exif 3.0 software fields.
| Field | ExifTool tag | XMP | IIM | EXIF | Video | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camera Make | EXIF: | tiff: | — | Make | — | |
| Camera Model | EXIF: | tiff: | — | Model | — | |
| Lens Make | EXIF: | exifEX: | — | LensMake | — | |
| Lens Model | EXIF: | exifEX: | — | LensModel | — | |
| Focal Length | EXIF: | exif: | — | FocalLength | — | |
| Aperture | EXIF: | exif: | — | FNumber | — | |
| Shutter Speed | EXIF: | exif: | — | ExposureTime | — | |
| ISO | EXIF: | exif: | — | ISO | — | |
| Date Modified | XMP-xmp: | xmp: | — | ModifyDate | QuickTime: | Date |
| Exposure Program | EXIF: | exif: | — | ExposureProgram | — | Pick list |
| EXIF Create Date | EXIF: | — | — | CreateDate | — | Date |
| Metering Mode | EXIF: | exif: | — | MeteringMode | — | Pick list |
| Flash | EXIF: | exif: | — | Flash | — | Pick list |
| Subsecond Time | EXIF: | — | — | SubSecTimeOriginal | — | |
| White Balance | EXIF: | exif: | — | WhiteBalance | — | Pick list |
| XMP Create Date | XMP-xmp: | xmp: | — | — | — | Date |
| Color Space | EXIF: | exif: | — | ColorSpace | — | Pick list |
| Exposure Compensation | EXIF: | exif: | — | ExposureCompensation | — | |
| IPTC Time Created | IPTC: | — | 2:60 | — | — | |
| Digital Creation Date | IPTC: | — | 2:62 | — | — | Date |
| Focal Length (35mm eq.) | EXIF: | exif: | — | FocalLengthIn35mmFormat | — | |
| Orientation | EXIF: | tiff: | — | Orientation | — | Pick list |
| Exposure Mode | EXIF: | exif: | — | ExposureMode | — | Pick list |
| Timezone Offset | EXIF: | — | — | OffsetTime | — | |
| Software | XMP-xmp: | xmp: | — | Software | XMP-xmp: | |
| Camera Serial Number | EXIF: | exifEX: | — | SerialNumber | — | |
| Lens Serial Number | EXIF: | exifEX: | — | LensSerialNumber | — | |
| Owner Name | EXIF: | exif: | — | OwnerName | — | |
| Scene Capture Type | EXIF: | exif: | — | SceneCaptureType | — | Pick list |
| Subject Distance Range | EXIF: | exif: | — | SubjectDistanceRange | — | Pick list |
| Camera Firmware | EXIF: | — | — | CameraFirmware | — | |
| RAW Developing Software | EXIF: | — | — | RAWDevelopingSoftware | — | |
| Image Editing Software | EXIF: | — | — | ImageEditingSoftware | — | |
| Metadata Editing Software | EXIF: | — | — | MetadataEditingSoftware | — |
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Workflow
Ratings, labels and urgency for sorting and review.
| Field | ExifTool tag | XMP | IIM | EXIF | Video | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | XMP-xmp: | xmp: | — | — | XMP-xmp: | |
| Label | XMP-xmp: | xmp: | — | — | XMP-xmp: | |
| Urgency | XMP-photoshop: | photoshop: | 2:10 | — | — | Pick list |
| Job Identifier | XMP-photoshop: | photoshop: | 2:103 | — | — | |
| Category | XMP-photoshop: | photoshop: | 2:15 | — | — | |
| Supplemental Categories | XMP-photoshop: | photoshop: | 2:20 | — | — | List |
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Production & Media
QuickTime fields for video, such as genre, year, director and composer.
| Field | ExifTool tag | XMP | IIM | EXIF | Video | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genre | QuickTime: | — | — | — | QuickTime: | |
| Year | QuickTime: | — | — | — | QuickTime: | |
| Album | QuickTime: | — | — | — | QuickTime: | |
| Director | QuickTime: | — | — | — | QuickTime: | |
| Producer | QuickTime: | — | — | — | QuickTime: | |
| Composer | QuickTime: | — | — | — | QuickTime: |
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Generated from Parergon's field registry (171 fields). Names follow the IPTC Photo Metadata Standard 2025.1, the XMP and EXIF specifications and ExifTool's tag names. To see which of these a file actually holds, open it in the free online metadata viewer. Background: EXIF vs IPTC vs XMP and the IPTC standard explained.
