What is a BMP file?
BMP is the bitmap format that came with early versions of Windows. It usually stores pixels uncompressed, so quality is perfect but files are very large.
- Full name
- Bitmap Image File
- File extensions
- .bmp, .dib
- MIME type
- image/bmp
- Type
- Raster image
- Compression
- Usually uncompressed
- Transparency
- No
- Animation
- No
- Format Hero support
- Convert from and to
What BMP is used for
Legacy Windows software, some industrial and embedded systems, older scanners, and programs that want raw pixel data.
Strengths
Simple, uncompressed pixel data that almost any program, however old, can read.
Weaknesses
Huge files (a 12-megapixel photo is about 36 MB), usually no transparency, and poor support on the web.
Compatibility
Windows and macOS open BMP, as do most image editors and browsers, but websites and upload forms rarely accept it.
Convert BMP to another format
Convert other formats to BMP
Questions
How do I open a BMP file?
Double-click it: Windows Photos and macOS Preview both open BMP files.
Is BMP lossy or lossless?
BMP is usually uncompressed, so nothing is lost, but files are large.
Does BMP support transparency?
No. BMP has no transparency, so transparent areas need to be filled with a background colour when you convert to it.
Can I convert BMP files without uploading them?
Yes. Format Hero converts BMP files in your browser, on your own device, so they're never sent to a server. It's free, needs no sign-up and adds no watermark.