Bitmap Image — Uncompressed raster image format with simple structure.
Quick facts
What is .bmp
A .bmp file is a Bitmap Image — Uncompressed raster image format with simple structure.
In the mime-db registry it maps to image/bmp, and it is marked as compressible. When serving .bmp over HTTP, set the Content-Type header as shown in Developer info below.
Related entities: it maps to image/bmp — and is delivered over HTTP via the Content-Type header.
How to open .bmp files
Developer info
When served over HTTP, responses should set the following header:
Content-Type: image/bmp
Common software that reads/writes .bmp:
Relation chain
Related extensions
Related MIME types
Common uses
How to edit .bmp files
How to create .bmp files
Frequently asked questions
Common options include Paint, GIMP, Preview. You can also open many of these files with built-in viewers or a browser.
Create a new file in any text editor or the app that owns the format and save it with the .bmp extension.
image/bmp is the media type identifier used for .bmp files during network transfer (for example in the HTTP Content-Type header).
Sources & standards
Updated 2026-08-18
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