Files with bmp extension can be commonly found as bitmap images. One of the traditional bitmap formats.

There is one other file type using
the BMP file extension!

empty icon.bmp - Alpha Microsystem image

Detailed description

Software that open bmp file

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BMP file extension - Standard Windows bitmap image

What is bmp file? How to open bmp files?

File type specification:

Bitmap image file type icon Bitmap image file type

bmp file icon: bmp filetype icon

File extension bmp is commonly used for bitmap files - standard, non-compressed bit-mapped graphics format used in the Windows (and also OS/2).

bmp files store graphics in a format called device-independent bitmap (DIB).

Bitmap images, also called raster images, use a grid (the bitmap or raster) of small squares known as pixels to represent images. Each pixel is assigned a specific location and color value.

Also Award BIOS versions have the ability to display a full-screen boot logo instead of the usual POST screen. The logo itself is embedded in the BIOS image, and although its file name has the extension .BMP, it is not a BMP file - it's a simplistic format referred to AWBM.

MIME-types used for .bmp files:

  • image/bmp
  • image/x-bmp
  • image/x-bitmap
  • image/x-xbitmap
  • image/x-win-bitmap
  • image/x-windows-bmp
  • image/ms-bmp
  • image/x-ms-bmp
  • application/bmp
  • application/x-bmp
  • application/x-win-bitmap
  • application/preview

Updated: March 24, 2024

The default software associated to open bmp file:

IrfanView icon

IrfanView  Microsoft Windows software

Company or developer:
Irfan Skiljan

IrfanView is a freeware image viewer for Microsoft Windows with support for many graphic formats and easy to use user interface, first released in 1996. Since then it grew to a very popular software with millions of users that is available in almost 30 languages.

XnView MP icon

Pierre-Emmanuel Gougelet logoXnView MP  Multiplatform software

Company or developer:
Pierre-Emmanuel Gougelet

A free (for non-commercial purposes) powerful cross-platform media browser, viewer and converter. Compatible with more than 500 formats and also supports export to 70 different file formats. It works on Windows, Linux and macOS (OS X).

Related articles:

Convert and resize large number of digital pictures on Mac

Convert and resize large number of pictures

Help how to open:

Use any graphic editor/viewer (XnView, Paintbrush) available to open or view *.bmp file format.

How to convert:

Use any graphic editor/viewer (Photoshop, Gimp etc.) to convert image formats.

Find conversions from bmp file:

bmp to cdr

bmp to dst

bmp to dwg

bmp to exp

bmp to jef

bmp to pes

bmp to vsd

Find converter to bmp file type:

brd to bmp

ecw to bmp

is2 to bmp

obj to bmp

pes to bmp

pmd to bmp

skp to bmp

File identification strings:

HEX code: 42 4D
ASCII code: BM

List of software applications associated to the .bmp file extension

Recommended software programs are sorted by OS platform (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android etc.)
and possible program actions that can be done with the file: like open bmp file, edit bmp file, convert bmp file, view bmp file, play bmp file etc. (if exist software for corresponding action in File-Extensions.org's database).

Hint:
Click on the tab below to simply browse between the application actions, to quickly get a list of recommended software, which is able to perform the specified software action, such as opening, editing or converting bmp files.

Software that open bmp file - Standard Windows bitmap image

Programs supporting the exension bmp on the main platforms Windows, Mac, Linux or mobile. Click on the link to get more information about listed programs for open bmp file action.

Multiplatform:

Main software associated with bmp file by default:
XnView MP small icon XnView MP
Other suggested software:
Canvas X small icon Canvas X

On-line services:

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