Short answer: To convert BMP to JPG, drop the file above, choose JPG and click Convert. BMP files are uncompressed, so the JPG is usually a small fraction of the size. Conversion runs in your browser.
BMP is one of the oldest image formats on computers. It stores every pixel without compression, so even an ordinary picture can fill many megabytes. If you have old scans, screenshots from legacy software or exports from a device that only saves bitmaps, converting to JPG can reduce the size to a small fraction. This page does it in your browser, with no upload.
Why are BMP files so large?
A BMP simply lists the color of every pixel in order. A photo of ten megapixels at three bytes per pixel is roughly thirty megabytes before anything else is added. That simplicity made BMP easy for early software, but it is wasteful today. JPG recognises that neighbouring pixels are similar and stores them far more efficiently.
Where do you still meet BMP files?
Old versions of Windows Paint, industrial cameras, measurement equipment, some medical or lab devices and scanners with basic software still output BMP. Websites rarely accept it and email attachments become huge. Converting to JPG makes the files easy to send, store and open on phones. For line drawings or text, PNG is usually the better lossless choice.
Quality advice
Very large BMPs can be heavy for a phone, so on a small device the page may ask for a smaller file. At quality 85 a photo converted from BMP looks the same to nearly everyone. Raise the setting for pictures with fine detail, such as technical drawings, or use PNG to keep them pixel-perfect.
Cleaning up an old archive
If you are digitising an old folder of bitmaps, convert them in batches and then compare folder sizes before and after. The saving is often dramatic. Use a rename pattern such as {name}-small if you want to keep the BMP files for a while, and delete them only after you have checked the JPGs. For scanned documents with text, use a quality of 90 or higher or choose PNG, because heavy compression can blur small letters. For snapshots and screenshots of photos, the default quality is plenty.
Questions people ask
How much smaller will the JPG be?
Often a small fraction of the BMP. The results list shows the saving for each file.
My BMP is very large. What can I do?
Computers accept very large files, but phones and tablets have less memory. If your device refuses a file, try it on a computer or reduce its size first.
Is BMP to JPG lossy?
Yes. JPG discards fine detail. Use PNG if you need a lossless copy.
Where do BMP files still come from?
Old scanners, some Windows programs, industrial equipment and very old screenshots. They are simple but huge, which is why converting them is so common.
Will my BMP keep its exact colours as a JPG?
Very close at a high quality setting. Solid areas and fine lines may show slight softening. Choose PNG instead when every pixel must stay identical.
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Last reviewed: October 17, 2026