What happens when you convert BMP to GIF
| Compression | Lossless → Lossless |
|---|---|
| File size | Usually far smaller: often under a fifth of the size for photos |
| Colours | Reduced to a 256-colour palette |
| Metadata | EXIF, GPS location and camera data are not copied to the new file |
| Opens in | every browser, chat app and email client |
Sizes are typical values; your files will vary with content and settings.
BMP Windows Bitmap
BMP is the uncompressed bitmap format native to Windows. Files are large because each pixel is stored raw, but almost every program, embedded device and legacy system can read it.
BMP converterGIF Graphics Interchange Format
GIF is a 1987 format limited to a 256-colour palette per frame. It survives because it animates everywhere: chat apps, email clients and forums all play GIFs without a video player.
GIF converterHow to use the BMP to GIF Converter
- 1
Click Choose files or drop your BMP images onto the page.
- 2
Adjust the GIF options if needed. The defaults work well for most images.
- 3
Click Convert, then download each GIF or all of them as a ZIP.
Why convert BMP to GIF?
BMP files come from old Windows software, Paint, scanners and embedded devices that write raw bitmaps. Files are very large because there is no compression. Choose GIF when the result has to loop in a chat app, forum or email client without a video player.
BMP to GIF settings
GIF output is limited to 256 colours, which is ideal for simple graphics but can show banding in photos. You can also cap the width and height, which resizes large photos in the same step.
Frequently asked questions
Will the GIF lose quality?
No. Both formats are lossless, so every pixel or sample in your BMP is kept exactly.
Will the GIF be smaller than the BMP?
Usually much smaller for photos: as a rough guide, the GIF comes out at around 15% of the BMP's size, depending on the quality setting.
Questions about privacy, file-size limits or conversion speed are answered in the general FAQ.