How to open BMP files
Readable by many browsers; inefficient for delivery. When a browser or application cannot decode the file directly, convert a copy to JPG for compatibility or PNG when transparency and lossless graphics matter.
When to use BMP
- Legacy Windows workflows
- Simple pixel exchange
- Older applications
Best settings for BMP
- Use BMP only when a legacy Windows workflow explicitly requires it.
- Convert BMP to PNG for a smaller lossless file or JPG/WebP/AVIF for practical sharing and web delivery.
- Avoid BMP for new website assets because it is usually much larger than modern alternatives.
Compatibility checklist
- BMP transparency support is inconsistent and should not be relied on for modern web graphics.
- Uncompressed BMP files can become large quickly at high resolutions.
- PNG is the safer general replacement when you need lossless pixels.
Limits to consider
- Large files
- Poor choice for websites compared with PNG or WebP
Convert BMP images
Choose an output based on the destination, not just file size. Conversion runs locally in your browser whenever the required decoder is available.