Convert BMP to GIF
BMP is an uncompressed Windows bitmap that keeps full pixel detail at a large file size. GIF is the format of choice for simple animations, icons and flat graphics, which is why it is the destination here. The conversion runs entirely in your browser: there is no upload, no file size limit and no watermark on the result.
Drop your BMP files below and download GIF in seconds. Free, unlimited and completely private: the conversion runs inside your browser, so your files never leave your device and are never uploaded to a server.
No upload. Works with your network switched off. Check it yourself, or read what actually happens to your file.
Why convert BMP to GIF?
BMP stores pixels with little or no compression, which makes files huge but trivially simple to read. It is mostly seen in legacy Windows workflows, screenshots from older tools and some scientific software. Converting to a compressed format usually shrinks a BMP by 90 percent or more.
GIF dates back to 1987 and is limited to a 256 color palette, which shows in photos but is fine for flat graphics. It remains everywhere thanks to animation support and universal compatibility. For still images, PNG or WebP almost always produce better quality at a smaller size.
BMP vs GIF at a glance
| BMP | GIF | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Bitmap image | Graphics Interchange Format |
| Compression | Uncompressed | Lossless, 256 colors |
| Transparency | No | Yes |
| Best for | Legacy Windows software and raw pixel data | Simple animations, icons and flat graphics |
What changes when you convert BMP to GIF
| What happens | |
|---|---|
| Image quality | Reduced. GIF holds at most 256 colours, so a photograph is quantised down to a palette. Flat graphics usually survive intact. |
| Transparency | BMP has no alpha channel, so there is no transparency to lose. |
| EXIF and GPS | Removed. The conversion goes through a pixel buffer, so camera data and location are not carried into the GIF file. |
| Colour profile | Not carried across. The image is handled in sRGB, which is right for the web and wrong for colour-managed print work. |
| Animation | Not applicable. BMP files here are single images. |
| File size | Varies with the content of the image. No figure is quoted here, because none has been measured on a documented test set. |
How to convert BMP to GIF
- Drop one or more BMP files into the box above, or click to browse.
- ImageConvert converts each file to GIF right on your device.
- Download a single file, or grab everything at once as a zip.
Frequently asked questions
What is a BMP file?
BMP is an uncompressed Windows bitmap that keeps full pixel detail at a large file size.
What is a GIF file?
GIF is an older format limited to 256 colors, still popular for simple graphics and icons.
Is it free to convert BMP to GIF?
Yes. There are no limits, no watermarks and no account needed. Convert as many BMP files as you like.
Are my files private?
Completely. Your BMP files never leave your browser and are never uploaded to a server, so your images stay on your device.