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BMP to GIF Converter

Upload a BMP file and it is converted to GIF right away. The input format is detected automatically.

Drag and drop BMP images here

Click to choose files · or paste with Ctrl+V

Convert many at once · up to 50MB per file

Your files are never uploaded. All conversion happens inside this browser.

BMP is Windows' basic bitmap that stores pixels as they are, without compression. BMP opens in most environments, but another format such as GIF may suit some uses better.

GIF is limited to 256 colors, and synonymous with short moving images. When you convert BMP to GIF, you can open it in more places, the file gets smaller and you get a format that supports transparency. See the comparison below for what changes.

This converter reads the file itself to confirm it is BMP, then converts it to GIF right in your browser. Your image is never uploaded.

BMP vs GIF: what's the difference?

ItemBMPGIF
CompressionNone (uncompressed)Lossless
Transparent backgroundNoYes
AnimationNoYes
Introduced19901987
Support in programs and upload formsbroadnearly everywhere
Shown directly in browsersYesYes
Photo file size (JPG = 1)about 12×about 2.5×

What is BMP?

BMP is a bitmap format from Windows that mostly stores pixel values as they are, without compression. Its simple structure makes it easy for programs to read, but the files are so large that it is rarely used on the web.

What is GIF?

GIF is one of the oldest web image formats, created in 1987, and can use only up to 256 colors per image. The compression itself is lossless, but reducing the colors to 256 makes photos look visibly coarse.

What changes when you convert BMP to GIF

Converting doesn't add a transparent background

BMP has no transparency information, so converting to GIF keeps the background as it is. To remove a background you need a separate background-removal tool.

Colors are reduced to at most 256

GIF can use only 256 colors per image. Logos and pixel art stay nearly the same, but photos and gradients can show color banding.

GIF has no quality setting

GIF is lossless, so the quality slider doesn't apply. Instead, when converting from BMP you can manage file size by resizing (exact width and height, or a percentage).

How the file size changes

GIF is far smaller than BMP (roughly 1/5 the size). This is for photos; for simple images such as logos and screenshots, PNG can actually come out smaller.

GIF opens in more places

Support for BMP in programs, document tools and upload forms is broad, while GIF is nearly everywhere. If you need to upload somewhere BMP wouldn't open, try again after converting.

When to convert

  • You need to upload to a program, messenger or upload form that can't open BMP
  • You need to shrink a BMP file for an email attachment or an upload size limit
  • You must upload a still image to an old board or system that only accepts GIF

BMP → GIF: frequently asked questions

+Does converting BMP to GIF reduce quality?

Because of GIF's 256-color limit, photos can look coarse. Logos and simple graphics show almost no difference.

+What happens to the file size?

GIF is far smaller than BMP (roughly 1/5 the size). This is for photos; for simple images such as logos and screenshots, PNG can actually come out smaller. When conversion finishes, the size of each BMP original and GIF result and the change are shown per file.

+What are the benefits of saving as GIF?

Benefits of GIF include "The animation standard that plays everywhere" and "Small files for simple graphics and icons". In some cases keeping BMP is better, so check the comparison table above for how the two formats differ.

+Why won't my BMP file open?

Opens on Windows and in most image viewers, and web browsers can display it too. In that case, converting BMP to GIF makes it open in more places.

+Is my file uploaded to a server?

No. Your BMP file is read and converted to GIF only inside this browser and is never sent to a server. EXIF data such as shooting location is also removed during conversion.

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