Will the GIF file be smaller than the BMP?

Usually, yes. BMP source files are normally stored uncompressed, so GIF's LZW compression and 256-color palette typically produce a much smaller file — the tradeoff is that output is limited to 256 colors chosen automatically from the source.

Does GIF output keep transparency?

GIF transparency is all-or-nothing per pixel, not partial like PNG. This tool reserves a transparent palette entry automatically when the browser decodes transparent pixels from the source BMP.

Does the source BMP actually have transparency to preserve?

It depends on the file. Older BITMAPINFOHEADER-based BMPs carry no alpha at all, while newer V4/V5-header BMPs can include real per-pixel alpha — but not every BMP-writing tool sets it even when the header allows it. Whatever the source actually carries is what gets reserved as transparent.

Are my files uploaded?

No. Conversion runs locally in your browser and does not upload your file to Looty Tools servers.

What is validated before conversion?

The file must actually be a BMP — the tool checks the "BM" header bytes, not just the filename or extension, before decoding.

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BMP to GIF Converter

Convert BMP images to a static GIF directly in your browser — useful for compatibility with older systems and simple graphics.

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BMP to GIF processes files locally in your browser.

What BMP to GIF conversion does

Convert a BMP image to a static GIF directly in your browser. GIF's LZW compression and palette reduction take an old, typically uncompressed bitmap down to a much smaller file, at the cost of collapsing it to 256 colors.

How to convert BMP to GIF

Choose a BMP file.
Select Convert & download.
Save the .gif file from your browser downloads.

Why use this conversion

Some platforms, forums, or legacy systems only accept .gif uploads, or you specifically need the broad compatibility GIF has enjoyed since the early web — a natural fit when the source is already an old-format BMP.

Transparency and output quality

GIF transparency is all-or-nothing per pixel — either fully transparent or fully opaque. This tool automatically reserves a transparent palette entry when the browser decodes any transparent pixels from the source BMP. BMP source files are normally stored uncompressed, so even with the 256-color ceiling, GIF's LZW-compressed, palette-based output is typically much smaller than the source. This tool picks the closest 256-color palette automatically using color quantization, which can introduce small color shifts on photographic or gradient-heavy images.

Privacy and local processing

Processing occurs locally in the browser.
Files are not uploaded to Looty Tools for conversion.
Converted files remain on your device.

Limits and known issues

Input: BMP (.bmp) only, up to 25.0 MB and 8,192 px per side.
Output is always a single static image. BMP has no animation concept to begin with, so nothing is lost on that front — GIF's own animation support just isn't used here.
Whether any pixels convert as transparent depends entirely on the source BMP's header: older BITMAPINFOHEADER files carry no alpha, so nothing is reserved as transparent; newer V4/V5-header files with real alpha data do get a transparent palette entry.
Metadata is not preserved in the downloaded file.

Related tools

Guides

BMP to GIF FAQ

Why convert BMP to GIF?: Some platforms, forums, or legacy systems only accept .gif uploads, or you specifically need the broad compatibility GIF has enjoyed since the early web — a natural pairing when you're already working from an old-format BMP asset.
Will the GIF file be smaller than the BMP?: Usually, yes. BMP source files are normally stored uncompressed, so GIF's LZW compression and 256-color palette typically produce a much smaller file — the tradeoff is that output is limited to 256 colors chosen automatically from the source.
Does GIF output keep transparency?: GIF transparency is all-or-nothing per pixel, not partial like PNG. This tool reserves a transparent palette entry automatically when the browser decodes transparent pixels from the source BMP.
Does the source BMP actually have transparency to preserve?: It depends on the file. Older BITMAPINFOHEADER-based BMPs carry no alpha at all, while newer V4/V5-header BMPs can include real per-pixel alpha — but not every BMP-writing tool sets it even when the header allows it. Whatever the source actually carries is what gets reserved as transparent.
Are my files uploaded?: No. Conversion runs locally in your browser and does not upload your file to Looty Tools servers.
What is validated before conversion?: The file must actually be a BMP — the tool checks the "BM" header bytes, not just the filename or extension, before decoding.