Compare
BMP vs PNG
BMP appears in older Windows bitmap workflows. PNG is a lossless format useful for graphics, screenshots, and transparency. Choose by existing requirements or new delivery.
Which format should you choose?
Keep BMP where a legacy workflow requires it; choose PNG for new graphics, screenshots, and transparent images.
Good fit for BMP
Existing Windows bitmap assets · Temporary image exchange
- Existing BMP assets in Windows workflows
- Simple raster images before or after editing
Good fit for PNG
UI graphics · Screenshots · Transparent images
- Images requiring transparency
- Text and line art
Basic information
| Field | BMP | PNG |
|---|---|---|
| Extension | .bmp | .png |
| MIME type | image/bmp | image/png |
| Common uses | Existing Windows bitmap assets · Temporary image exchange | UI graphics · Screenshots · Transparent images |
| How to open | Open BMP in a Windows image viewer or BMP-capable editor. If it fails, check support for the file version and color depth. | Most operating-system viewers, web browsers, and image editors can open PNG files. |
| Export or convert | For sharing or web delivery, export BMP to PNG or WebP. Check color depth, transparency, and file size first, and retain the original when needed. | Export PNG to JPEG only when transparency and lossless quality are no longer needed. Keep the original PNG for editing, and use a proper export command rather than changing the filename extension. |
Choose by use case
Existing BMP assets in Windows workflows
Existing Windows bitmap assets · Temporary image exchange
BMPSimple raster images before or after editing
Existing Windows bitmap assets · Temporary image exchange
BMPImages requiring transparency
UI graphics · Screenshots · Transparent images
PNGText and line art
UI graphics · Screenshots · Transparent images
PNGKey point 1
BMP encoding and compression can vary by file and software.
More on the differencesKey point 2
PNG offers lossless compression and transparency.
More on the differencesMore on the differences
Unless the recipient explicitly requires BMP, consider PNG for image exchange and web delivery. Converting BMP to PNG cannot create missing image detail.
- Uncompressed BMP files can be large.
- PNG suits UI graphics and screenshots needing lossless storage.
- Inspect the BMP's actual encoding and transparency before conversion.
Frequently asked questions
Will converting BMP to PNG improve image quality?
No. Conversion does not add information absent from the source; it may improve sharing and web usability.