BMP vs PNG
PNG preserves decoded pixels losslessly and can carry alpha. It is useful for transparent graphics and screenshots; it does not preserve editable document layers or camera sensor data, and photographic files can be large.
Image format
BMP
Windows raster storage with several DIB header versions. Simple uncompressed pixels are common, but alpha and compression vary.
Explore the format
Convert BMP to
Choose a target format for your BMP images.
JPEGJPEGBMP → JPEGPNGPNGBMP → PNGWebPWebPBMP → WebPAVIFAVIFBMP → AVIFHEICHEICBMP → HEICHEIFHEIFBMP → HEIF
All 21 conversions
Marked paths may need steps such as flattening, rasterization, tone mapping or animation loss.
Convert to BMP
Choose a source format to convert to BMP.
JPEGJPEGJPEG → BMPPNGPNGPNG → BMPWebPWebPWebP → BMPAVIFAVIFAVIF → BMPHEICHEICHEIC → BMPHEIFHEIFHEIF → BMP
All 36 conversions
GIFGIFGIF → BMPWith caveatTIFFTIFFTIFF → BMPSVGSVGSVG → BMPICOICOICO → BMPJPEG XLJPEG XLJPEG XL → BMPJPEG 2000JPEG 2000JPEG 2000 → BMPQOIQOIQOI → BMPTGATGATGA → BMPPCXPCXPCX → BMPPPMPPMPPM → BMPPGMPGMPGM → BMPPBMPBMPBM → BMPPAMPAMPAM → BMPHDRHDRHDR → BMPWith caveatEXREXREXR → BMPWith caveatPSDPSDPSD → BMPWith caveatPDFPDFPDF → BMPWith caveatDNGDNGDNG → BMPCanon CR2Canon CR2Canon CR2 → BMPCanon CR3Canon CR3Canon CR3 → BMPCanon CRWCanon CRWCanon CRW → BMPNikon NEFNikon NEFNikon NEF → BMPSony ARWSony ARWSony ARW → BMPFujifilm RAFFujifilm RAFFujifilm RAF → BMPOlympus ORFOlympus ORFOlympus ORF → BMPPanasonic RW2Panasonic RW2Panasonic RW2 → BMPPentax PEFPentax PEFPentax PEF → BMPSigma X3FSigma X3FSigma X3F → BMPKodak RAWKodak RAWKodak RAW → BMPHasselblad 3FRHasselblad 3FRHasselblad 3FR → BMP
Marked paths may need steps such as flattening, rasterization, tone mapping or animation loss.
About BMP
Windows Bitmap
BMP stores a Windows device-independent bitmap in a file. A file header locates the pixel array, while the DIB information header describes dimensions, colour depth and encoding. Palettized and direct-colour variants accommodate different graphics systems; the file must be interpreted using its actual header, not only its extension.
Uncompressed arrays are straightforward but can be large. Some variants use RLE, bit masks or embedded compressed data. A 32-bit bitmap does not automatically have usable alpha: the ordinary BI_RGB high byte can be unused, whereas extended headers can specify an alpha mask and colour information, including V5 profile data.
Use BMP for Windows bitmap interchange, diagnostics and tools that expect direct pixel arrays. PNG is often a more compact exchange format for the same rendered pixels. Check row orientation, padding and colour masks during conversion; treating every BMP as one 24-bit layout can produce incorrect colours or an upside-down image.
Key capabilities
BMP may be uncompressed or use a header-selected encoding. Alpha is header-dependent; 32 bits alone do not establish transparency support in the receiving application.
History of BMP
BMP’s evolution is documented through Windows bitmap header structures, rather than a single universal compression revision.
BMP compared
Different formats, different trade-offs. Choose for the image and the workflow.
BMP vs TIFF
TIFF provides tagged raster storage with multiple images and several sample types and compression schemes. It is a useful interchange choice for scanning and high-precision editing, but the receiving tool must support the particular TIFF variant.
BMP vs JPEG
JPEG makes a compact photographic delivery file, but ordinary JPEG discards detail and has no alpha. Keep the richer source for editing and use JPEG when the receiving workflow expects an opaque photo.
BMP vs PCX
PCX is useful when retaining compatibility with Paintbrush-era software and planar raster files. Its RLE and palette conventions require dedicated decoding; PNG is generally easier for exchanging a rendered copy outside that legacy workflow.
BMP FAQ
What does this format store?
BMP stores a Windows device-independent bitmap in a file. A file header locates the pixel array, while the DIB information header describes dimensions, colour depth and encoding. Palettized and direct-colour variants accommodate different graphics systems; the file must be interpreted using its actual header, not only its extension.
How does compression affect quality?
BMP may be uncompressed or use a header-selected encoding. Alpha is header-dependent; 32 bits alone do not establish transparency support in the receiving application.
Is every 32-bit BMP transparent?
No. The extra byte can be unused. Read the masks and header version and verify that the application uses the declared alpha convention.
What should I check before opening the file?
Check the DIB header size, compression identifier and colour masks. A basic bitmap reader may ignore V5 profiles or reject less familiar encodings.
What changes when I export to another format?
Lossless export can preserve interpreted pixels, but not all DIB properties. A palette or grayscale target reduces colour information; JPEG adds lossy compression and needs an opaque background.
When is this format useful?
Use BMP for Windows bitmap interchange, diagnostics and tools that expect direct pixel arrays. PNG is often a more compact exchange format for the same rendered pixels. Check row orientation, padding and colour masks during conversion; treating every BMP as one 24-bit layout can produce incorrect colours or an upside-down image.