BMP file format
Windows Bitmap (Device Independent Bitmap) (.bmp): old Windows software, embedded devices and tools that need raw pixels.
BMP is an old Windows format that usually stores every pixel uncompressed. A photo saved as BMP can be 10–20 times larger than the same JPG. Today it is mostly needed for legacy software, some printers, industrial machines and microcontroller displays.
| Full name | Windows Bitmap (Device Independent Bitmap) |
|---|---|
| File extension | .bmp, .dib |
| MIME type | image/bmp |
| Created | around 1990 by Microsoft, for Windows |
| Compression | Uncompressed |
| Transparency | No |
| Animation | No |
| Colors | Usually 24-bit color, stored uncompressed |
| Opens on | Windows and most image viewers; rarely accepted on the web |
| Best for | old Windows software, embedded devices and tools that need raw pixels |
Advantages
- Simple, uncompressed and lossless
- Readable by old and embedded software
Drawbacks
- Enormous files
- No useful transparency or metadata
- Not accepted by most websites
Convert BMP to…
Convert to BMP
Frequently asked questions
What is a .bmp file?
BMP is an old Windows format that usually stores every pixel uncompressed. A photo saved as BMP can be 10–20 times larger than the same JPG. Today it is mostly needed for legacy software, some printers, industrial machines and microcontroller displays.
How do I open a BMP file?
BMP files open on Windows and most image viewers; rarely accepted on the web. If a program will not open yours, convert it to a more common format.
Is BMP lossless?
BMP is usually uncompressed, so it is lossless — and large.
How do I convert BMP?
Use one of the converters below — they run in your browser, so your images are never uploaded. Most popular: BMP to JPG, BMP to PNG, BMP to WebP.