Image Format Comparison

BMP vs TIFF — Windows Bitmap vs Tagged Image File Format

BMP and TIFF are both lossless image formats from the early Windows era. BMP is simpler and Windows-native; TIFF is more flexible with multi-page support, multiple compression options, and broad professional adoption. For modern use, neither is the right format for the web — they're for archival and professional print.

BMPvsTIFF

Quick Verdict

Use BMP when…

Use BMP only for legacy Windows-specific workflows that require it. BMP is largely deprecated for new work.

Use TIFF when…

Use TIFF for professional print, scanning, photography masters, and any workflow needing multi-page lossless imaging. TIFF is the de facto print/scan standard.

BMP vs TIFF: Feature Comparison

Feature	BMP	TIFF
Compression	None (typically)	LZW, ZIP, JPEG, none
Multi-page	No	Yes
Bit depth	1, 4, 8, 16, 24, 32-bit	1, 8, 16, 32, 32-bit float
Alpha channel	Yes (32-bit BMP)	Yes
Print pipeline	Limited	Universal
File size (10MP image)	~30 MB	~30 MB or compressed to ~10 MB

When BMP wins

✓Compression: None (typically)
✓Multi-page: No
✓Bit depth: 1, 4, 8, 16, 24, 32-bit

When TIFF wins

✓Compression: LZW, ZIP, JPEG, none
✓Multi-page: Yes
✓Bit depth: 1, 8, 16, 32, 32-bit float

Frequently asked questions

Is TIFF better than BMP?

For most modern uses, yes. TIFF supports lossless compression (typically 30–50% smaller files for the same quality), multi-page documents, and broader bit depth. BMP's only advantage is simplicity (and that's rarely needed).

Can BMP store transparency?

Yes — 32-bit BMP files include an alpha channel. However, support for transparent BMP is patchy; many applications display them with white backgrounds. PNG is a better choice for transparency in modern workflows.