Convert BMP to TIFF Online

BMP File

File extension	.BMP, .RLE, .DIB
Category	Image File
Description	May be the simplest file format, BMP was developed jointly by Microsoft and IBM. That is why it is widespread on Windows platform. This extension is characterized a raster graphic format which is recognized by many programs today. In comparison with other bitmap formats, JPEG and GIF, BMP keeps color data for each pixel in the image and doesn't compress images to decrease a file size. That is what makes it perfect file format for printable images.
Associated programs	Adobe Photoshop MS Paint Microsoft Photo Editor Paintbrush
Developed by	Microsoft
MIME type	image/bmp Image/x-ms-bmp
Useful links	More detailed information on BMP files
Conversion type	BMP to TIFF

TIFF File

File extension	.TIFF, .TIF
Category	Image File
Description	The TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) is a widely-used file format for storing digital images, developed by Aldus Corporation (now owned by Adobe Systems). It is a versatile format that supports a wide range of color depths, resolutions, and image types, making it suitable for use in a variety of applications. TIFF files can contain multiple images, each with their own characteristics such as resolution, compression, and color depth. They can also be uncompressed or compressed using a variety of methods, such as LZW, ZIP, and JPEG compression. Additionally, TIFF files can store metadata such as keywords, descriptions, and copyright information. One of the key benefits of the TIFF format is its support for high-quality, lossless image compression. This makes it a popular choice for archiving and sharing images, especially in fields such as graphic design, printing, and photography. TIFF files can also support transparent backgrounds, making them ideal for use in web graphics and other applications where transparency is important. TIFF files can be opened and edited using a wide variety of software programs, including Adobe Photoshop, GIMP, and Microsoft Paint. They are also supported by many operating systems and web browsers. Overall, the TIFF format is a robust and versatile format for storing digital images. Its ability to support multiple images, high-quality compression, and metadata make it a popular choice for a variety of applications, especially those requiring high-quality images.
Associated programs	CyberLink PowerDVD InterVideo WinDVD VideoLAN VLC Media Player Windows Media Player
Developed by	Aldus, now Adobe Systems
MIME type	image/tiff image/tiff-fx
Useful links	More detailed information on TIFF files

BMP to TIFF Converter — Frequently Asked Questions ▼

Is any quality lost when converting BMP to TIFF?

No. Both BMP and TIFF are lossless formats. BMP stores pixels uncompressed; TIFF with LZW or ZIP compression stores the same pixel values in a smaller file. The conversion is pixel-identical — every pixel value from the BMP is preserved exactly in the TIFF output.

Why is the TIFF file smaller than the original BMP?

BMP stores pixels as raw uncompressed data. TIFF with LZW compression applies lossless run-length encoding that reduces file size by 50–70% for typical images without altering any pixel values. The smaller TIFF contains identical image data — it is just more efficiently encoded.

Why do print shops require TIFF instead of BMP?

Professional print applications, RIP systems, and prepress tools all support TIFF as a standard format. BMP is a Windows-native format that print and design tools outside the Windows ecosystem do not universally support. TIFF is the cross-platform print standard.

What color space does the TIFF output use?

The output TIFF uses the same RGB color space as the source BMP. BMP supports only RGB — there is no CMYK BMP format. If your print workflow requires CMYK TIFF, you will need to convert the color space separately using Photoshop or a color management tool after the BMP-to-TIFF conversion.

What DPI will the output TIFF have?

If the BMP file contains DPI metadata in its header, the TIFF output inherits that value. Many BMP files lack explicit DPI data and default to 72 or 96 DPI. For print at 300 DPI, set the output DPI in the converter settings before converting.

Can I convert a BMP scan archive to TIFF to save storage?

Yes. This is one of the most common BMP-to-TIFF use cases. A folder of uncompressed BMP scans (typically from industrial or document scanners) can be batch converted to LZW-compressed TIFF, saving 50–70% of storage with no pixel data loss.

Can I batch convert BMP folders to TIFF?

The online converter handles multiple BMP uploads. For bulk conversion of large BMP scan archives or image libraries, Total Image Converter (Windows, $29.90) processes entire folders to compressed TIFF in one automated overnight run.

Convert BMP to TIFF Online — Windows Bitmap to Professional Lossless Format

BMP is Microsoft's uncompressed bitmap format — large files that are natively readable by Windows but rejected by professional print workflows, prepress applications, and archival systems. TIFF is the lossless professional standard for print production, scanning, and archival — supported by every design tool, print shop, and imaging application. Converting BMP to TIFF produces a pixel-identical image in a compressed lossless container that print shops, InDesign workflows, and prepress bureaus accept. No software installation required.

What Is a BMP File?

BMP (Bitmap Image File) is Microsoft's native raster image format, introduced with Windows 1.0 in 1985. It stores pixel data as an uncompressed color grid — no lossy or lossless compression by default — making it the simplest but largest Windows image format.

Uncompressed: Raw RGB pixel data with no compression — maximum compatibility but very large file sizes.

Windows native: Natively supported by all Windows GDI applications without additional codecs or software.

Color depth: 1, 4, 8, 16, 24, and 32 bits per pixel — 24-bit RGB is the standard.

File size: A 10 MP image at 24-bit = approximately 29 MB uncompressed — 3–10× larger than an equivalent TIFF with LZW compression.

Compatibility: Supported by Windows applications; not natively supported by professional print tools or most Mac/Linux imaging software.

Who Needs BMP to TIFF Conversion?

Print production: Print shops and prepress workflows require TIFF; BMP files must be converted before submission to offset or digital print bureaus.

Scanner output conversion: Scanners that output BMP (common in industrial and document scanners) produce large files; TIFF with LZW compression reduces size while preserving quality.

Cross-platform workflows: Moving BMP files from a Windows workstation to Mac or Linux environments where TIFF is better supported than BMP.

Publishing and editorial: Magazine and book publishers require TIFF for submitted images; BMP from Windows tools must be converted.

Storage optimization: Reducing large BMP archives to compressed TIFF saves 50–70% storage without any quality loss.

GIS and mapping: Geographic information systems that require GeoTIFF (TIFF with geolocation data) accept TIFF but not BMP for raster map layers.

BMP vs TIFF — Key Differences

Property	BMP	TIFF
Introduced	1985 (Microsoft)	1986 (Aldus/Adobe)
Compression	Uncompressed (raw pixel data)	LZW, ZIP (lossless) or uncompressed
File size	Large — uncompressed full pixel data	50–70% smaller with LZW vs BMP
Color spaces	RGB only	RGB, CMYK, Lab, Grayscale
Print compatibility	Not standard for professional print	Universal print and prepress standard
Best for	Windows GDI apps, legacy software	Print production, archival, professional imaging

How BMP to TIFF Conversion Works

The converter reads the BMP file header to determine image dimensions, bit depth (typically 24-bit RGB), and pixel data offset. The raw uncompressed pixel rows are read from the BMP data section — BMP stores rows in bottom-up order, which the converter reverses to top-down during reading. The pixel data is then written into the TIFF container with LZW lossless compression, preserving every pixel value exactly. The TIFF header records image dimensions, bit depth, color space (RGB), and DPI from the BMP resolution field if present. The conversion is pixel-identical — TIFF with LZW produces a smaller file containing exactly the same pixel values as the source BMP, with no quality loss.

BMP to TIFF Use Cases

Scanner output processing: An industrial document scanner outputs BMP; the converter batch-processes the BMP scans to compressed TIFF for archival at 50% smaller file sizes.

Print shop submission: A graphic designer working in a Windows-only environment converts BMP artwork to TIFF before sending to a commercial print shop for offset printing.

Cross-platform handoff: Converting BMP screenshots and diagrams to TIFF for sharing with a Mac-based design team using InDesign for print layout.

Storage archive compression: Converting a large BMP scan archive to LZW-compressed TIFF reduces storage by 60% with no pixel data loss.

GIS raster import: Converting BMP raster maps to TIFF for import into QGIS or ArcGIS as the first step in creating a georeferenced GeoTIFF layer.

Batch production: Total Image Converter (Windows, $29.90) converts entire BMP folders to TIFF overnight with configurable compression settings.

Convert BMP to TIFF Online — Windows Bitmap to Professional Lossless Format