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BMP to HEIC Converter

Convert BMP images to modern HEIC format online for free. Fast, simple, and secure.

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Maximum file size: 50 MB

Your file is processed securely and deleted automatically after conversion. Your data is protected under GDPR.

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Your BMP image has been successfully converted to a HEIC image.

Download HEIC
1 Select BMP
2 Convert to HEIC
3 Download HEIC

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How to convert BMP to HEIC

  1. Upload one or more BMP files (up to 50 MB total).
  2. Click 'Convert to HEIC' — finishes in under 2 seconds per image.
  3. Download HEIC files individually, or grab all as a ZIP.

Quick fact about BMP

BMP is uncompressed — a typical BMP file is 30-50x larger than the equivalent HEIC. Converting BMP to HEIC saves up to 95% of storage, making it one of the most dramatic size reductions possible in image conversion.

Why convert BMP to HEIC?

BMP is the oldest and largest image format still in use — it stores pixels uncompressed. A single 4 MB BMP screenshot becomes about 200 KB as HEIC, a 95% reduction. If you have a folder of BMP files (from old software, screenshots, or legacy workflows), converting to HEIC on Apple devices reclaims enormous storage space and puts the images into a modern, efficient format.

BMP vs HEIC

Attribute BMP HEIC
Compression None (uncompressed) HEVC (lossy)
Typical file size Very large 20-50x smaller
Alpha channel 32-bit BMP only Supported
Native support Every Windows app iOS 11+, macOS 10.13+
Best for Legacy Windows workflows Modern Apple storage

Technical details

Input format BMP (24-bit or 32-bit)
Output format HEIC (HEIF container)
Codec HEVC (H.265)
Compression Lossy (HEVC)
Transparency Preserved (from 32-bit BMP)
Typical reduction Up to 95% (30-50x smaller)
Native support iOS 11+, macOS High Sierra+
Max file size 50 MB per file
File retention Auto-deleted after conversion

How the conversion works

The converter reads the uncompressed BMP pixel data and re-encodes it as HEIC using HEVC (H.265) compression. The output is typically 20-50x smaller than the BMP source. BMP's alpha channel (32-bit BMP only) is preserved as HEIC's alpha channel.

When to convert BMP to HEIC

Quality considerations

HEIC is a lossy format, so converting BMP to HEIC discards some image data. However, HEVC compression is very efficient at preserving perceived quality — the visual difference is typically not noticeable at normal viewing distances, while the file size shrinks by 95% or more. For archival of critical originals, keep the BMP.

Limitations and caveats

Compatibility

Tips for best results

Common problems and fixes

HEIC won't open on Windows
Windows 10 needs the free HEIF Image Extensions; Windows 11 supports HEIC natively. For broad compatibility, use JPG instead.
Some BMP files fail to convert
Some legacy BMP variants (RLE-compressed, OS/2 BMP) may not be supported. Convert to uncompressed BMP first, then retry.
HEIC file is unexpectedly large
If the BMP source was small (e.g. a simple screenshot with flat colors), HEIC cannot compress much further. The 30-50x reduction is typical for detailed photos.

Frequently asked questions

Why convert BMP to HEIC? +
To save up to 95% of storage space. BMP files are uncompressed — HEIC uses modern HEVC compression.
How much smaller will my files be? +
Typically 30-50x smaller. A 4 MB BMP becomes about 200 KB as HEIC (95% reduction).
Will I lose quality? +
Slightly — HEIC is lossy. But the visual difference is not noticeable at normal viewing distances for most images.
Does HEIC support transparency? +
Yes, if the source was 32-bit BMP. Alpha is preserved in HEIC.
Can I open HEIC on Windows? +
Yes, with the free HEIF Image Extensions on Windows 10, or natively on Windows 11.
Is HEIC the smallest format? +
HEIC and AVIF are the two smallest mainstream formats. HEIC is native on Apple devices; AVIF is web-native.
What's the maximum file size? +
50 MB per BMP file.

Sources and references

Last reviewed: 2026-10-01