BMP vs PNG vs JPEG: Which File Format Should You Use?

Not all image formats are created equal. Here is how to choose the right one.

Format Comparison

BMP: The Original

Best for: Compatibility with older software, when file size doesn't matter

BMP (Bitmap) is the original Windows image format. It is completely uncompressed — every pixel is stored as raw data.

Pros: Perfect quality, universal compatibility Cons: Extremely large files (a 10MB JPEG can be 100MB+ as BMP) Convert BMP to: JPG (90%+ size reduction) or PNG (lossless compression)

PNG: The Web Standard

Best for: Screenshots, logos, graphics with text, images needing transparency

PNG (Portable Network Graphics) uses lossless compression — no quality is lost when saving. It supports transparency via an alpha channel.

Pros: Lossless quality, transparency support, good compression for graphics Cons: Larger than JPEG for photos, no camera EXIF support Convert to PNG: JPG to PNG or WebP to PNG

JPEG: The Universal Format

Best for: Photos, complex images, web use

JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) uses lossy compression — some quality is sacrificed for much smaller files. At 85% quality, the difference is usually invisible.

Pros: Tiny file sizes, universal compatibility, camera support Cons: No transparency, quality loss on re-save, not ideal for text/graphics Convert to JPEG: PNG to JPG or HEIC to JPG

When to Convert

Quick Decision Guide

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Need transparency? → PNG

Need smallest file? → WebP (or JPEG for compatibility)

Need print quality? → JPEG (300 DPI)

Is it a screenshot? → PNG

Is it a photo? → JPEG or WebP

Is it uncompressed BMP? → Convert to anything else

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