BMP Format Guide & Converter

Bitmap Image File is an uncompressed (or lightly packed) Windows bitmap raster image, introduced by Microsoft (1988). BMP is a simple pixel grid historically tied to Windows Paint and older games. Files are easy to decode but enormous compared with PNG or JPG, so convert BMP when you need to share, archive, or publish the image.

Full name

Bitmap Image File

Kind

raster image

File extension

.bmp

MIME type

image/bmp

Developer / standard

Microsoft · 1988

Compression

varies

Quality model

Lossless / not lossy

Container

No / single bitstream typical

Common codecs

—

Technical sources

—

Transparency

Not supported

Animation

No (still / non-animated typical use)

Typical size

Very large — megabytes even for modest resolutions

Browser support

Technically displayable in some browsers but never preferred — convert first

Compatibility

Opens everywhere on Windows desktops and in most desktop editors; convert before web or mobile sharing because files are huge

BMP compression: varies. Lossless (or non-destructive packaging) keeps reconstructable data — size savings come from packing efficiency, not throwing detail away. Typical size profile: Very large — megabytes even for modest resolutions. Quality note: Lossless pixels; no modern compression efficiency

Quality: Lossless pixels; no modern compression efficiency

Typical size: Very large — megabytes even for modest resolutions

BMP does not support an alpha channel. Convert to PNG, WebP, AVIF, or SVG when you need transparent backgrounds.

BMP is a still-media or non-animated format in typical use. Use GIF, APNG, video, or animated WebP when you need motion.

Commonly supports EXIF, IPTC, and/or XMP depending on encoder (camera make, GPS, orientation, color profile). Strip metadata before public sharing if privacy matters.

Related tools: image metadata viewer · metadata remover

• Legacy Windows assets
• Simple pixel-perfect game or UI sprites from old toolchains
• Teaching raw bitmap concepts
• Quick conversion source into PNG/JPG

• Websites and apps
• Photo libraries
• Email attachments
• Any bandwidth-sensitive delivery

• Simple structure
• Lossless pixel storage
• Wide legacy Windows support
• No patented modern codec required

• Huge file sizes
• No alpha in classic BMP variants people still use
• Obsolete for the web
• Wasteful for archives

Opens everywhere on Windows desktops and in most desktop editors; convert before web or mobile sharing because files are huge

Browsers: Technically displayable in some browsers but never preferred — convert first

• Paint
• Photoshop
• GIMP
• Most OS image viewers
• Format Convertly

• Windows PCs
• Desktops with classic imaging tools

Double-click on Windows (Photos/Paint) or open in any desktop image editor. On Mac, Preview handles most BMPs.

Drop a BMP into Format Convertly and export PNG for sharp lossless graphics or JPG for everyday photos — conversion stays in browser memory in your browser.

• Pick a target format from popular conversions or the full list below.
• Your file is read into browser memory — not uploaded to a server.
• Download the result when conversion finishes.

Incoming conversions strengthen the BMP cluster — e.g. JPG → BMP, PNG → BMP.

Compare BMP with related formats to pick the right container for quality, size, and compatibility.

Tools extend the format graph beyond one-off conversion — compression, metadata, and utilities for real workflows.

Uploading sensitive BMP files to a random converter creates a third-party copy you cannot control. Format Convertly keeps processing on-device so photos, contracts, and exports stay private.