BMP to GIF Converter
Convert BMP to GIF free — no upload, no signup
To convert BMP to GIF, drop your BMP images into the box below, click Convert, then Download. Fylo does the work inside your browser, so nothing is uploaded and there's no signup or watermark. It's ideal for simple BMP graphics with a limited palette.
Drop images here
or tap to browse · paste with Ctrl+V · add many at once
Your files never leave your device
No settings needed — GIF output keeps every pixel. Options are under Advanced.
Advanced
Fewer colours = smaller file.
Mixes palette colours to smooth gradients.
Leave empty to keep the original size.
How to convert BMP to GIF
Add your BMP files
Drag and drop BMP files into the box, tap to choose them, or paste with Ctrl+V. You can add many at once.
Review colour options
Dithering is on by default to smooth gradients; switch it off or reduce colours under Advanced.
Convert and download
Click Convert, then download each GIF or get them all in one ZIP.
Why convert BMP to GIF?
Old Windows BMPs are often 8-bit, 256-colour graphics — exactly what GIF was made for. Converting gives you a compressed file that any browser and email client can display.
Does converting BMP to GIF affect quality or size?
8-bit BMPs convert with no visible change. 24-bit photographic BMPs are reduced to 256 colours with dithering, so photos may look grainy — PNG or JPG suit those better.
What's the difference between BMP and GIF?
BMP is Microsoft's uncompressed bitmap format. It's simple and lossless but huge: every pixel is stored raw, so a 12-megapixel photo takes about 36 MB.
GIF is a 1987 format limited to 256 colours per frame with on/off transparency. It's still everywhere thanks to simple animation support, but it's inefficient for photos.
Learn more: BMP format guide · GIF format guide
| Property | BMP | GIF |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | Usually none (optional RLE) | Lossless (LZW), 256-colour palette |
| Transparency | Rarely (32-bit only) | 1-bit (on/off) |
| Animation | No | Yes |
| Colour depth | 1 to 32-bit | 8-bit palette (256 colours) |
| Typical size, 12 MP photo | ≈ 36 MB | Not suited to photos |
| Support | Windows, most editors, all major browsers | Universal |
| Best for | Legacy Windows software, embedded displays | Simple animations, small flat graphics |
| Introduced | 1985 | 1987 |
Frequently asked questions
Can I turn off dithering?
Yes. Under Advanced, switch dithering off for flat graphics and pixel art; colours are then mapped to the nearest palette entry instead of being mixed with dots.
Will a 256-colour BMP look identical as a GIF?
Yes. If the BMP already uses 256 colours or fewer, GIF can represent every one of them exactly.
Why is GIF smaller than BMP?
GIF compresses data with LZW, while BMP is usually stored raw.
Are my BMP files uploaded to a server?
No. Fylo converts BMP to GIF entirely inside your browser using a background Web Worker, so your files never leave your device. That's also why it's fast — there's no upload or download wait.
Related tools
Updated