BMP is an uncompressed bitmap format from early Windows that stores raw pixel data, producing simple but very large files.
Dating back to the late 1980s, BMP is simple to read and write but wastes space because it applies little or no compression.
BMP is mainly encountered with legacy Windows software; for sharing or the web, convert it to a compressed format.
Advantages
- ✓No quality loss — every pixel is preserved exactly.
Drawbacks
- ✕Produces very large files.
- ✕No transparency support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is BMP lossy or lossless?
BMP is lossless, so it preserves image quality exactly without throwing any data away.
Does BMP support transparency?
No, BMP does not support transparency; transparent areas are filled with a solid white background.
How do I open or convert a BMP file?
Most image viewers can open BMP files, but for full compatibility you can convert BMP to JPG or PNG right here — free, instant and private in your browser.