What is BMP?
BMP (Bitmap) is a raster image file format developed by Microsoft in 1985 for Windows operating systems. Also known as Device-Independent Bitmap (DIB), it was designed to display images consistently across different devices and graphics adapters.
BMP stores images pixel by pixel without compression, resulting in high-quality images but very large file sizes. A simple screenshot can easily reach several megabytes in BMP format, while the same image as JPG might be only a few hundred kilobytes.
While BMP remains supported across all Windows versions and many applications, its large file sizes make it impractical for web use, email, and modern workflows. Most users convert BMP files to compressed formats for easier sharing and storage.
Why Convert BMP Files?
BMP files work well for their original purpose, but create problems in modern use:
- Massive file sizes - A 1920x1080 BMP image is about 6MB uncompressed, while the same JPG is under 500KB
- Slow uploads and downloads - Large files take longer to transfer, especially on mobile connections
- Email attachment limits - BMP files often exceed email size limits
- Web incompatibility - Browsers support BMP but the large sizes slow page loading dramatically
- Storage waste - Uncompressed images fill up drives and cloud storage quickly
- Social media rejection - Most platforms don't accept BMP uploads or convert them automatically
Converting BMP to a compressed format solves all these problems while maintaining visual quality.
Convert BMP to Other Formats
Choose the right output format based on your needs:
BMP to JPG
The most popular conversion. JPG reduces file size by 90% or more while maintaining good visual quality. Perfect for photos, screenshots, and any image where small file size matters more than perfect pixel accuracy. Ideal for email attachments and web uploads.
BMP to PNG
Best for images with text, logos, screenshots, or graphics with sharp edges. PNG uses lossless compression, so quality is preserved exactly while still reducing file size significantly. Supports transparency, which BMP does not.
BMP to WebP
Google's modern format offers the best of both worlds-smaller files than JPG with quality closer to PNG. Excellent for websites and apps. Widely supported in all modern browsers.
BMP to PDF
Convert images to PDF for document sharing, printing, or archiving. Useful when you need to send images that recipients can't easily edit or when combining multiple images into one document.
BMP to GIF
Best for simple graphics with limited colors. GIF supports animation and transparency. Not recommended for photos due to 256-color limit.
BMP to TIFF
Professional format for print and publishing. TIFF preserves full quality and supports layers. Use when the recipient specifically needs TIFF for their workflow.
Convert Other Formats to BMP
While less common, there are valid reasons to convert images to BMP:
JPG to BMP
Some legacy Windows applications, older industrial software, and embedded systems only accept BMP input. Converting ensures compatibility with these specific tools.
PNG to BMP
Certain graphics editors, game development tools, and specialized software work better with or require BMP format. Note that transparency will be lost since BMP doesn't support it.
Any Image to BMP
If you're working with software that specifically requires uncompressed bitmap data, converting to BMP ensures maximum compatibility with Windows-based tools.
BMP Technical Specifications
- Full name: Bitmap Image File / Device-Independent Bitmap (DIB)
- Developer: Microsoft (1985)
- File extension: .bmp, .dib
- MIME type: image/bmp, image/x-bmp
- Compression: Typically uncompressed (RLE compression optional)
- Color depths: 1-bit to 32-bit (including alpha channel in v4+)
- Max dimensions: 32,767 × 32,767 pixels
- Transparency: Limited support (v4 and v5 only)
BMP Compatibility
Applications That Support BMP
- All Windows applications (native format)
- Microsoft Paint, Photos, Office suite
- Adobe Photoshop, GIMP, Paint.NET
- All major web browsers
- Most image viewers and editors
- Legacy industrial and embedded software
Where BMP Falls Short
- Web development (files too large)
- Social media platforms (usually rejected or converted)
- Mobile apps (waste bandwidth and storage)
- Email (often exceeds attachment limits)
- Cloud storage (fills quota quickly)
For any web or sharing use case, convert BMP to JPG, PNG, or WebP first.
How to Convert BMP Files
- Upload your BMP file - Drag and drop or click to browse. Upload one file or batch convert multiple BMP images at once.
- Choose your output format - Select JPG for photos and maximum compression, PNG for graphics and screenshots, or WebP for modern web use.
- Download your converted image - Get your compressed file instantly, typically 80-95% smaller than the original BMP.
Conversion happens in your browser. Your images stay private-nothing is stored on our servers.
BMP vs Other Image Formats
Understanding when to use each format:
- BMP: Maximum quality, huge files. Only use when required by specific software.
- JPG: Great compression for photos. Some quality loss but usually imperceptible. Best for sharing.
- PNG: Lossless compression with transparency. Best for screenshots, logos, and graphics.
- WebP: Modern format with excellent compression and quality. Best for websites.
- GIF: Animation support, limited colors. Best for simple animated graphics.
For most uses, JPG or PNG replaces BMP with 90% smaller files and identical visual quality.
Batch Convert Multiple BMP Files
Converting an entire folder of BMP screenshots or images? Upload all your files at once and convert them simultaneously. Save hours compared to converting one at a time. All files download in a single ZIP archive.