BMP vs TIFF
How do BMP and TIFFcompare? Here's everything you need to know to choose the right format — and how to convert between them.
.bmp
Full guide →Bitmap Image File
BMP is an uncompressed raster image format native to Windows. While it produces very large files, BMP preserves every pixel with zero quality loss, making it useful for raw image data and legacy applications.
.tiff
Full guide →Tagged Image File Format
TIFF is a flexible, high-quality image format widely used in publishing, photography, and archival. It supports lossless compression, multiple layers, and high bit depths, making it the standard for professional imaging.
| Specification | BMP | TIFF |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Bitmap Image File | Tagged Image File Format |
| Extension | .bmp | .tiff |
| MIME type | image/bmp | image/tiff |
| Category | Image | Image |
| Developer | Microsoft | Aldus Corporation (now Adobe) |
| Year introduced | 1986 | 1986 |
| Compression | Lossless | Lossless |
BMP advantages
- Zero quality loss — completely uncompressed
- Simple format, easy to read and write
- Native Windows support
- No compression artifacts
BMP limitations
- Very large file sizes
- No transparency support in most versions
- Not suitable for web use
- Outdated format for most modern applications
TIFF advantages
- Lossless quality — industry standard for print
- Supports layers, pages, and metadata
- High bit depth (up to 64-bit)
- Flexible compression options
TIFF limitations
- Very large file sizes
- Not supported in web browsers
- Complex format with many variations
- Slow to process compared to simpler formats
Which should you use?
Both BMP and TIFF have their strengths. BMP excels at legacy windows applications, while TIFF is better for professional photography and print production.
Best uses for BMP
Best uses for TIFF
Convert between BMP and TIFF
Need to switch formats? Convert for free with SquishConvert.