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BMP File - What is a .bmp file and how do I open it?
Learn about .BMP files and view a list of programs that open them.
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Overview
What is a BMP file? A BMP file is an image saved in the Bitmap (BMP) raster image format developed by Microsoft. It contains uncompressed image data that supports monochrome and color images at variable color bit depths and image metadata . Users commonly save digital photos as BMP files.
More Information BMP file open in Microsoft Photos 2021 Microsoft developed the BMP format, also known as the Device Independent Bitmap (DIB) format, to save images that appear consistent across different devices. The BMP format begins with a file header, including the bitmap identifier, file size, width, height, data compression method (optional), color options, and bitmap data starting point. After the header, the format stores raw pixel image data and optional ICC Color Profile data. NOTE: Since BMP files are uncompressed, they may be large. Therefore, the JPEG and PNG image formats are common alternatives to the BMP format for saving and transferring digital images.
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.BMP File Extension
Bitmap Image
| Developer | Microsoft |
| Popularity |
3.9 | 464 Votes |
NEW: Open your .BMP file online with File Helper . View Online
What is a BMP file?
A BMP file is an image saved in the Bitmap (BMP) raster image format developed by Microsoft. It contains uncompressed image data that supports monochrome and color images at variable color bit depths and image metadata . Users commonly save digital photos as BMP files.
More Information
BMP file open in Microsoft Photos 2021
Microsoft developed the BMP format, also known as the Device Independent Bitmap (DIB) format, to save images that appear consistent across different devices. The BMP format begins with a file header, including the bitmap identifier, file size, width, height, data compression method (optional), color options, and bitmap data starting point. After the header, the format stores raw pixel image data and optional ICC Color Profile data.
NOTE: Since BMP files are uncompressed, they may be large. Therefore, the JPEG and PNG image formats are common alternatives to the BMP format for saving and transferring digital images.
How to open a BMP file
You can open BMP files with various programs, including Microsoft Photos , which is bundled with Windows, and Apple Preview or Apple Photos , which are both bundled with macOS.
A large number of other image and graphics applications can be used to open BMP files:
NOTE: Many of these programs can also export images as BMP files.
How to convert a BMP file
Various image viewers and editors, including Microsoft Photos, Apple Preview, and CorelDRAW Graphics Suite, can convert BMP files to other formats.
For example, Microsoft Photos can convert BMP files to the following formats:
Programs that open BMP files
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Platform
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Windows
File Viewer Plus
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Free +
Microsoft Photos
Included with OS
Microsoft Windows Photo Viewer
Included with OS
Microsoft Paint
Included with OS
Adobe Photoshop 2025
Free Trial
Adobe Photoshop Elements
Free Trial
Adobe Illustrator 2025
Free Trial
Corel PaintShop Pro 2023
Free Trial
CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2024
Free Trial
Canvas GFX Canvas X Pro
Free Trial
Other image viewer
Mac
Apple Preview
Included with OS
Apple Photos
Included with OS
ACD Systems ACDSee Photo Studio for Mac
Free Trial
Adobe Photoshop 2025
Free Trial
Adobe Photoshop Elements
Free Trial
Adobe Illustrator 2025
Free Trial
CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2024
Free Trial
MacPhun ColorStrokes
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Discontinued
Paid
Other image viewer
Web
FileHelper.com
Free
Google Photos
Free
Google Drive
Free +
iOS
Google Photos
Free
Google Drive
Free +
Android
File Viewer for Android
Free +
Google Photos
Free
Google Drive
Free +
Chrome OS
Google Photos
Free
Category: Raster Image Files
Updated: April 19, 2022