.BMP File

.bmp is Bitmap Image File

FeatureDescription
File extension.bmp
File typeRaster graphics image file format
Developed byMicrosoft
First released1985
Supported platformsWindows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS
Color depth1-bit to 32-bit
CompressionUncompressed or compressed with RLE
Alpha channelYes
Color profileYes
UsesStoring and displaying high-quality digital images, icons, screen captures, and other raster graphics

What is a .bmp file?

A .bmp file is a bitmap image file format that stores raster digital images, independently of the display device (such as a graphics adapter). It was developed by Microsoft in the early 1990s and is still widely used today, especially on Microsoft Windows and OS/2 operating systems.

BMP files are uncompressed, which means they store the image data in its original form. This makes them ideal for storing high-quality images, but it also means that they can be quite large in file size.

BMP files can store images in a variety of color depths, from monochrome (black and white) to 32 bits per pixel (which supports millions of colors). They can also store alpha channels, which allow for transparency in images.

BMP files are typically opened with image editing software such as Adobe Photoshop or GIMP. They can also be viewed in most web browsers and image viewers.

How to open a .bmp file?

  • Use a graphics editor. Some popular graphics editors that can open .bmp files include Adobe Photoshop, GIMP, and Paint.net. To open a .bmp file in a graphics editor, simply double-click on the file or right-click on it and select "Open with" and then the name of the graphics editor you want to use.
  • Use a web browser. Most web browsers can display .bmp files. To open a .bmp file in a web browser, simply drag and drop the file into the browser window or right-click on the file and select "Open with" and then the name of your web browser.
  • Use an image viewer. There are many free and paid image viewers that can open .bmp files. Some popular image viewers include IrfanView, XnView, and FastStone Image Viewer. To open a .bmp file in an image viewer, simply double-click on the file or right-click on it and select "Open with" and then the name of the image viewer you want to use.

What software can I use to edit .bmp files?

There are many software programs that can be used to edit .bmp files. Here are a few popular options:

  • Adobe Photoshop: Photoshop is a professional-grade graphics editor that is available for Windows and macOS. It offers a wide range of features for editing .bmp files, including cropping, resizing, rotating, adjusting colors, and adding effects.
  • GIMP: GIMP is a free and open-source graphics editor that is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It offers many of the same features as Photoshop, but it is not as powerful.
  • Paint.net: Paint.net is a free graphics editor that is available for Windows. It is a good option for basic editing tasks, such as cropping, resizing, and adjusting colors.
  • IrfanView: IrfanView is a free image viewer and editor that is available for Windows. It is a good option for viewing and editing .bmp files, but it does not offer as many features as Photoshop or GIMP.
  • XnView: XnView is a free and open-source image viewer and editor that is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It offers a wide range of features for viewing and editing .bmp files, including cropping, resizing, rotating, adjusting colors, and adding effects.
  • FastStone Image Viewer: FastStone Image Viewer is a free image viewer and editor that is available for Windows. It offers a wide range of features for viewing and editing .bmp files, including cropping, resizing, rotating, adjusting colors, and adding effects.

Which software program you choose will depend on your needs and budget. If you need a powerful graphics editor with a wide range of features, then Adobe Photoshop is a good option. If you are looking for a free and open-source alternative, then GIMP is a good choice. And if you are looking for a basic image editor for simple tasks, then Paint.net or IrfanView are good options.

How to compress a .bmp file without losing quality?

  • Use a lossless compression format. A lossless compression format compresses the file without losing any data. This means that the compressed file will be identical to the original file in terms of quality. Some popular lossless compression formats for .bmp files include PNG and TIFF.
  • Use a lossy compression format with a high quality setting. A lossy compression format compresses the file by discarding some data. This means that the compressed file will not be identical to the original file in terms of quality, but it will still be close. Some popular lossy compression formats for .bmp files with a high quality setting include JPEG 2000 and WEBP.
  • Reduce the file size without compression. You can also reduce the file size of a .bmp file without compressing it by reducing the resolution or color depth of the image. This will result in a loss of quality, but it may be acceptable for your needs.

How to fix a corrupted .bmp file?

  • Use a hex editor. A hex editor is a program that allows you to view and edit the raw data of a file. This can be useful for repairing corrupted files, as you can manually edit the data to correct the errors. However, this method is not always successful, and it can be difficult to use if you are not familiar with hexadecimal codes.
  • Use a dedicated image repair tool. There are a number of dedicated image repair tools available that can be used to fix corrupted .bmp files. These tools typically use algorithms to scan the file for errors and then attempt to repair them. The success rate of these tools varies, but they can be a good option if you are not comfortable using a hex editor.
  • Convert the file to a different format. Sometimes, a corrupted .bmp file can be repaired by converting it to a different image format. This is because different image formats use different compression algorithms, and the corruption may be caused by the way the file was compressed. To convert a .bmp file to a different format, you can use a graphics editor or an online converter.

How to convert a .bmp file to another format?

  • Use a graphics editor. Most graphics editors, such as Adobe Photoshop, GIMP, and Paint.net, can be used to convert .bmp files to other formats. To convert a .bmp file in a graphics editor, simply open the file in the editor and then go to the "File" menu and select "Save As". In the "Save As" dialog box, select the desired file format from the "Format" drop-down menu.
  • Use an online converter. There are many online converters that can be used to convert .bmp files to other formats. To use an online converter, simply upload the .bmp file to the converter and then select the desired file format. The converter will then convert the file and download it to your computer.
  • Use a command-line tool. There are a number of command-line tools that can be used to convert .bmp files to other formats. To use a command-line tool, you will need to have a basic understanding of how to use the command line.

What is the difference between a .bmp file and a .jpg file?

.bmp and .jpg are two of the most popular image file formats. They both have their own advantages and disadvantages, so it is important to choose the right format for your needs.

Feature.bmp.jpg
File sizeLargeSmall
Image qualityHighMedium
Color depthSupports a variety of depths24 bits per pixel
Alpha channelsSupportedNot supported
Open formatYesYes
CompatibilityWindows, OS/2Widely supported
EditingDifficultEasy

.bmp files are uncompressed, which means they store the image data in its original form. This makes them ideal for storing high-quality images, but it also means that they can be quite large in file size. BMP files can store images in a variety of color depths, from monochrome (black and white) to 32 bits per pixel (which supports millions of colors). They can also store alpha channels, which allow for transparency in images.

.jpg files are compressed, which means they store the image data in a more efficient format. This makes them ideal for storing images that will be displayed on the web or shared online. JPG files typically use a lossy compression algorithm, which means that some data is discarded during the compression process. This can result in a loss of image quality, but it is usually not noticeable unless you zoom in on the image. JPG files can store images in 24 bits per pixel color depth. They do not support alpha channels.

In general, .bmp files are a good choice for storing high-quality images that you will be editing. .jpg files are a good choice for storing images that you will be displaying on the web or sharing online.

Raster Image

Binary

New Files Extension Recently updated 3D Image Files Audio Files Backup Files CAD Files Camera Raw Files Compressed Files Data Files Database Files Developer Files Disk Image Files Encoded Files Executable Files Font Files GIS Files Game Files Misc Files Page Layout Files Plugin Files Raster Image Files Settings Files Spreadsheet Files System Files Text Files Vector Image Files Video Files Web Files eBook Files