Convert BMP to JPG
BMP files are enormous because they are not compressed, and JPG is the fastest way to make that go away. A 1920 x 1080 BMP is 6,220,854 bytes no matter what it shows; the same image as a JPG at normal quality is usually a few hundred kilobytes. Cuts of 90 percent or more are routine, which is why this is the standard conversion for old scans, exports from legacy Windows software and photographs that arrived as bitmaps.
Drop your BMP files below and download JPG 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 JPG?
It is a lossy conversion, so it is worth matching the target to the content. For photographs, JPG is exactly right and the artefacts are effectively invisible at sensible quality settings. For screenshots, diagrams, text and line art it is the wrong choice: JPG blurs hard edges and leaves visible ringing around lettering, and every re-save compounds it. If your BMP is a screenshot, convert it to PNG instead and you will get most of the size saving with none of the damage.
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.
JPG has been the default photo format since the nineties and opens everywhere, from ancient office software to modern phones. Its lossy compression shrinks photos dramatically while keeping them looking good at normal viewing sizes. It cannot store transparency, so transparent areas are filled with a solid background.
What this converter does to your BMP file
The BMP is decoded and re-encoded as JPEG through the Canvas API at the quality you pick on the slider, which runs from 30 to 100 percent and defaults to 90. This is a lossy step: the encoder discards detail your eye is least likely to miss, and that detail cannot be recovered afterwards, so keep the BMP if it is your master copy. A standard 24 bit BMP has no alpha channel, so there is no transparency to flatten and no background colour is invented.
BMP vs JPG at a glance
| BMP | JPG | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Bitmap image | JPEG image |
| Compression | Uncompressed | Lossy |
| Transparency | No | No |
| Best for | Legacy Windows software and raw pixel data | Photos and general web images |
What changes when you convert BMP to JPG
| What happens | |
|---|---|
| Image quality | Reduced, by however much you choose. JPG is lossy; the quality control above sets the trade. Keep the BMP original if you may need to edit it again. |
| 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 JPG 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 | Smaller, usually by a lot. The exact saving depends on the image and the quality setting. |
How to convert BMP to JPG
- Drop one or more BMP files into the box above, or click to browse.
- ImageConvert converts each file to JPG right on your device.
- Download a single file, or grab everything at once as a zip.
Frequently asked questions
How much smaller will the JPG be?
Typically 90 percent or more, because the BMP is uncompressed to begin with. The exact figure depends on the image and the quality setting; the file list shows the size before and after each conversion so you can compare rather than guess.
What quality setting should I use?
Around 85 to 90 percent suits most photographs, which is why the slider starts at 90. Going higher adds bytes for a difference few people can see. Going below about 70 starts to show blocking in smooth areas such as skies.
Should I use JPG or PNG for a BMP screenshot?
PNG. JPG is built for photographs and softens the hard edges of text, lines and UI elements, leaving visible ringing. PNG is lossless, keeps screenshots pixel perfect, and still compresses flat graphics dramatically.
What is a BMP file?
BMP is an uncompressed Windows bitmap that keeps full pixel detail at a large file size.
What is a JPG file?
JPG (JPEG) is the most common photo format, using lossy compression for small file sizes.
Is it free to convert BMP to JPG?
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.