Convert BMP to ICO

Free BMP to ICO converter. Usually a smaller file. No signup, and your files are deleted after 1 hour.

Image Converter

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Maximum file size: 100 MB per file

How to convert BMP to ICO

Quick answer: To convert BMP to ICO: upload your BMP file, choose ICO as the output format, click Convert and download the result. It takes a few seconds, needs no account, and your files are deleted from the server after 1 hour.

  1. Upload your BMP file by clicking the upload area, dragging it in, or pasting an image URL.
  2. Select ICO as the output format.
  3. Click Convert and wait a few seconds.
  4. Download your ICO file, or download several files at once as a ZIP.

What changes when you convert BMP to ICO

  • BMP has no transparency, so the picture looks the same; the extra transparency support in ICO simply stays unused.
  • Neither format throws away detail in this conversion, so the pixels are preserved.
  • Photos usually get smaller when saved as ICO.
  • The icon file contains several sizes (from 16 to 256 px) so it works as a favicon and as a Windows icon.

BMP vs ICO at a glance

Comparison of BMP and ICO
FeatureBMPICO
Full nameBMP (Bitmap)ICO (Windows Icon)
Introduced19861985
CompressionUncompressedLossless
TransparencyNoYes
AnimationNoNo
Best forSimple Windows graphics and older softwareWebsite favicons and Windows app icons
CompatibilityOpens almost everywhere but is rarely used on the web.Used for favicons and Windows icons; most photo viewers do not open it.

When to choose ICO instead of BMP

Choose ICO for website favicons and Windows app icons. Its main limit: it only suits small icon sizes.

Stay with BMP if you need simple Windows graphics and older software.

Related conversions

BMP to ICO FAQ

How do I convert BMP to ICO?

Upload your BMP file, select ICO as the output format and click Convert. When it finishes, download the ICO file. No software or account is needed, and your files are deleted after 1 hour.

Does converting BMP to ICO reduce quality?

No. Both formats keep the full pixel data, so the converted image looks identical.

Is transparency kept when converting BMP to ICO?

BMP has no transparency, so there is nothing to keep; the ICO looks the same as your original.

Will the ICO file be smaller than the BMP?

For photos, usually yes. ICO compresses images more efficiently than BMP.

Where can I open a ICO file?

Used for favicons and Windows icons; most photo viewers do not open it.

Is it free and safe to convert BMP to ICO here?

Yes. It is free for up to 20 files per day and 100 MB per file, with no sign-up. Files are processed on our server, never shared, and deleted automatically after 1 hour.

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