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Bitmap Bit Depth Changer

World's simplest bitmap tool
This is a free and fast online utility that changes how many bits a BMP uses to store each pixel. You can use the configuration options (below) to create 32-bit, 24-bit, 16-bit, 8-bit, 4-bit, or 1-bit bitmap files. Extra options allow you to select a grayscale conversion method and a dithering pattern for low-color bitmap formats. Created by graphics designers from team Browserling.
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BMP Bit Depth
Choose the output bit depth and whether indexed pixels use color, grayscale, or dithering.
Grayscale Algorithm
Select how RGB becomes gray. This setting is active only for grayscale output formats.
Dithering Algorithm
Choose the pixel dithering pattern. This setting is active only for dithered formats.

What is a Bitmap Bit Depth Changer?

learn more about this tool
This free online browser-based program changes the bit depth of a BMP image. Bit depth specifies how many bits are used to store each pixel. You can save the bitmap as a 32-bit, 24-bit, 16-bit, 8-bit, 4-bit, or 1-bit BMP. A 24-bit BMP stores eight bits for each blue, green, and red color channel, while a 32-bit BMP adds a fourth unused byte to every pixel. The 16-bit modes pack all three color channels into two bytes. The 5-6-5 mode uses five bits for red, six for green, and five for blue, while the 5-5-5 mode uses five bits for each channel and leaves one bit unused. The 8-bit, 4-bit, and 1-bit formats use indexed colors. Instead of storing a complete RGB value for every pixel, they store the number of a color in the BMP palette. An 8-bit BMP can use up to 256 palette colors, a 4-bit BMP can use up to 16, and a 1-bit BMP uses two. When converting a full-color bitmap image to one of these formats, the tool creates a palette of representative colors and replaces every pixel with the nearest palette color. You can also create grayscale BMPs. In this mode, the tool first converts every pixel to gray using the selected grayscale formula and then creates a palette containing only shades of gray. In the options, you can calculate gray values by averaging the red, green, and blue channels equally or by using weighted formulas that better match how the human eye perceives brightness. You can also apply dithering when creating 4-bit or 1-bit color and grayscale BMPs. Dithering distributes the available palette colors across neighboring pixels in fine patterns, making missing colors, shades, and smooth gradients appear more natural. You can choose Floyd-Steinberg, Atkinson, Stucki, Jarvis, Burkes, Sierra, or another supported dithering pattern. Bmp-abulous!

Bitmap Bit Depth Changer examples

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Store a Bitmap at 32 Bits per Pixel
In this example, we convert a regular 24-bit BMP into a 32-bit BMP. It supports the same 16,777,216 RGB colors as a 24-bit BMP because both formats use eight bits for each blue, green, and red channel. The fourth byte is not used for transparency, but it makes every pixel occupy four bytes instead of three, increasing the file size from 365 KB to 486 KB. (Source: Pexels.)
In this example, we convert a regular 24-bit BMP into a 32-bit BMP. It supports the same 16,777,216 RGB colors as a 24-bit BMP because both formats use eight bits for each blue, green, and red channel. The fourth byte is not used for transparency, but it makes every pixel occupy four bytes instead of three, increasing the file size from 365 KB to 486 KB. (Source: Pexels.)
In this example, we convert a regular 24-bit BMP into a 32-bit BMP. It supports the same 16,777,216 RGB colors as a 24-bit BMP because both formats use eight bits for each blue, green, and red channel. The fourth byte is not used for transparency, but it makes every pixel occupy four bytes instead of three, increasing the file size from 365 KB to 486 KB. (Source: Pexels.)
Required options
These options will be used automatically if you select this example.
Choose the output bit depth and whether indexed pixels use color, grayscale, or dithering.
Select how RGB becomes gray. This setting is active only for grayscale output formats.
Choose the pixel dithering pattern. This setting is active only for dithered formats.
Use the Standard 24-bit BMP Layout
In this example, we save the forest and lake photo as a standard 24-bit BMP. This common bitmap layout stores one byte for blue, one for green, and one for red in every pixel, providing 256 levels per channel and up to 16,777,216 possible colors without using a palette. (Source: Pexels.)
In this example, we save the forest and lake photo as a standard 24-bit BMP. This common bitmap layout stores one byte for blue, one for green, and one for red in every pixel, providing 256 levels per channel and up to 16,777,216 possible colors without using a palette. (Source: Pexels.)
In this example, we save the forest and lake photo as a standard 24-bit BMP. This common bitmap layout stores one byte for blue, one for green, and one for red in every pixel, providing 256 levels per channel and up to 16,777,216 possible colors without using a palette. (Source: Pexels.)
Required options
These options will be used automatically if you select this example.
Choose the output bit depth and whether indexed pixels use color, grayscale, or dithering.
Select how RGB becomes gray. This setting is active only for grayscale output formats.
Choose the pixel dithering pattern. This setting is active only for dithered formats.
Pack a Bitmap into RGB 5-6-5
In this example, we convert a bitmap containing a Kasumi Todoh character sprite into a 16-bit RGB 5-6-5 BMP. Each pixel is packed into two bytes using five bits for red, six for green, and five for blue. This arrangement supports up to 65,536 possible colors, with 32 red levels, 64 green levels, and 32 blue levels. The image looks nearly identical to the original, but its file size decreases from 69 KB to 46 KB. (Source: SNK.)
In this example, we convert a bitmap containing a Kasumi Todoh character sprite into a 16-bit RGB 5-6-5 BMP. Each pixel is packed into two bytes using five bits for red, six for green, and five for blue. This arrangement supports up to 65,536 possible colors, with 32 red levels, 64 green levels, and 32 blue levels. The image looks nearly identical to the original, but its file size decreases from 69 KB to 46 KB. (Source: SNK.)
In this example, we convert a bitmap containing a Kasumi Todoh character sprite into a 16-bit RGB 5-6-5 BMP. Each pixel is packed into two bytes using five bits for red, six for green, and five for blue. This arrangement supports up to 65,536 possible colors, with 32 red levels, 64 green levels, and 32 blue levels. The image looks nearly identical to the original, but its file size decreases from 69 KB to 46 KB. (Source: SNK.)
Required options
These options will be used automatically if you select this example.
Choose the output bit depth and whether indexed pixels use color, grayscale, or dithering.
Select how RGB becomes gray. This setting is active only for grayscale output formats.
Choose the pixel dithering pattern. This setting is active only for dithered formats.
Reduce a Parrot to an 8-bit Palette
In this example, we convert a full-color bitmap into an 8-bit indexed BMP. The bitmap stores up to 256 colors in a palette, and each pixel contains a one-byte index that points to one of those palette colors. This smaller color range keeps the bird recognizable but simplifies some details. For example, if you look closely at the blue feathers, several areas are filled with a single solid blue color instead of preserving their original texture. (Source: Pexels.)
In this example, we convert a full-color bitmap into an 8-bit indexed BMP. The bitmap stores up to 256 colors in a palette, and each pixel contains a one-byte index that points to one of those palette colors. This smaller color range keeps the bird recognizable but simplifies some details. For example, if you look closely at the blue feathers, several areas are filled with a single solid blue color instead of preserving their original texture. (Source: Pexels.)
In this example, we convert a full-color bitmap into an 8-bit indexed BMP. The bitmap stores up to 256 colors in a palette, and each pixel contains a one-byte index that points to one of those palette colors. This smaller color range keeps the bird recognizable but simplifies some details. For example, if you look closely at the blue feathers, several areas are filled with a single solid blue color instead of preserving their original texture. (Source: Pexels.)
Required options
These options will be used automatically if you select this example.
Choose the output bit depth and whether indexed pixels use color, grayscale, or dithering.
Select how RGB becomes gray. This setting is active only for grayscale output formats.
Choose the pixel dithering pattern. This setting is active only for dithered formats.
Dither a Frog into a 4-bit BMP
This example reduces a frog bitmap to an indexed 4-bit BMP. It limits the image to a palette of no more than 16 colors, with each pixel storing a 4-bit palette index. To soften the effect of this strong color reduction, Atkinson dithering mixes the available colors in fine pixel patterns. This keeps the frog recognizable and helps retain subtle light and shadow details in the leaf and background. (Source: Pexels.)
This example reduces a frog bitmap to an indexed 4-bit BMP. It limits the image to a palette of no more than 16 colors, with each pixel storing a 4-bit palette index. To soften the effect of this strong color reduction, Atkinson dithering mixes the available colors in fine pixel patterns. This keeps the frog recognizable and helps retain subtle light and shadow details in the leaf and background. (Source: Pexels.)
This example reduces a frog bitmap to an indexed 4-bit BMP. It limits the image to a palette of no more than 16 colors, with each pixel storing a 4-bit palette index. To soften the effect of this strong color reduction, Atkinson dithering mixes the available colors in fine pixel patterns. This keeps the frog recognizable and helps retain subtle light and shadow details in the leaf and background. (Source: Pexels.)
Required options
These options will be used automatically if you select this example.
Choose the output bit depth and whether indexed pixels use color, grayscale, or dithering.
Select how RGB becomes gray. This setting is active only for grayscale output formats.
Choose the pixel dithering pattern. This setting is active only for dithered formats.
Draw Elephants in One-bit Black and White
In this example, we reduce a full-color elephant photo to a 1-bit black-and-white BMP. Each pixel uses just one bit, allowing eight pixels to fit into a single byte and reducing the file size from 387 KB to just 18 KB. Sierra dithering arranges black and white pixels into fine patterns that keep the elephants and surrounding zoo details recognizable. (Source: Pexels.)
In this example, we reduce a full-color elephant photo to a 1-bit black-and-white BMP. Each pixel uses just one bit, allowing eight pixels to fit into a single byte and reducing the file size from 387 KB to just 18 KB. Sierra dithering arranges black and white pixels into fine patterns that keep the elephants and surrounding zoo details recognizable. (Source: Pexels.)
In this example, we reduce a full-color elephant photo to a 1-bit black-and-white BMP. Each pixel uses just one bit, allowing eight pixels to fit into a single byte and reducing the file size from 387 KB to just 18 KB. Sierra dithering arranges black and white pixels into fine patterns that keep the elephants and surrounding zoo details recognizable. (Source: Pexels.)
Required options
These options will be used automatically if you select this example.
Choose the output bit depth and whether indexed pixels use color, grayscale, or dithering.
Select how RGB becomes gray. This setting is active only for grayscale output formats.
Choose the pixel dithering pattern. This setting is active only for dithered formats.
All bitmap tools
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Create a Transparent Bitmap
Quickly convert an opaque bitmap to a transparent bitmap.
Change Bitmap Colors
Quickly substitute one color for another in a bitmap.
Extract Bitmap Color Palette
Quickly find all colors in a bitmap and extract them.
Change Bitmap Depth
Quickly change the number of bits used by every BMP pixel.
Convert a Bitmap to Grayscale
Quickly turn a color bitmap into a grayscale bitmap.
Animate Bitmap Sprites
Quickly animate a bitmap sprite sheet.
Convert Animation to Bitmap Sprites
Quickly convert an animation into a bitmap sprite sheet.
Blur a Bitmap
Quickly blur an area of a bitmap.
Sharpen a Bitmap
Quickly sharpen an area of a bitmap.
Pixelate a Bitmap
Quickly pixelate an area of a bitmap.
Draw a Random Bitmap
Quickly create a bitmap file from random, colorful pixels.
Resize a Bitmap
Quickly change the width/height of a bitmap.
Crop a Bitmap
Quickly select a region from a bitmap.
Rotate a Bitmap
Quickly rotate a bitmap by any angle.
Add a Border to a Bitmap
Quickly add a border around or inside a bitmap.
Remove a Border from a Bitmap
Quickly delete a border that surrounds a bitmap.
Convert Bitmap to Byte Array
Quickly create a byte array from a BMP image.
Convert Byte Array to a Bitmap
Quickly create a BMP image from a byte array.
Convert RGB Bitmap to BGR Bitmap
Quickly convert RGB bitmap colors to BGR channel order.
Convert BGR Bitmap to RGB Bitmap
Quickly convert BGR bitmap colors to RGB channel order.
Convert Symbols to a Bitmap
Quickly create a BMP image by mapping text symbols to colored pixels.
Base-64 Encode a Bitmap
Quickly convert a BMP file to the base-64 encoding.
Base-64 Decode a Bitmap
Quickly convert base-64 encoding to a BMP file.
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Edit and Draw Bitmaps
Create and edit bitmaps in your browser.
Compress a Bitmap
Make a bitmap smaller in size.
Uncompress a Bitmap
Convert a compressed bitmap to a raw RGB pixel bitmap.
Swirl a Bitmap
Create a swirl of any radius in a bitmap.
Make Bitmap Black and White
Reduce all bitmap colors to just black and white.
Merge Bitmaps
Join two or more bitmaps together.
Overlay Bitmaps
Place two or more bitmaps on top of each other.
Split a Bitmap
Split a bitmap into multiple independent bitmaps.
Extract a Bitmap Fragment
Extract one or more selected areas from a bitmap.
Duplicate a Bitmap
Make copies of bitmaps and paste them together.
Skew a Bitmap
Skew a bitmap by an arbitrary angle.
Shift a Bitmap
Shift a bitmap to the left or right.
Flip a Bitmap Vertically
Turn a bitmap upside-down.
Flip a Bitmap Horizontally
Make a mirror copy of a bitmap.
Convert Bitmap to Webp
Convert a BMP to a Webp.
Convert Webp to Bitmap
Convert a Webp to a BMP.
Convert Bitmap to PNG
Convert a BMP to a PNG.
Convert PNG to Bitmap
Convert a PNG to a BMP
Convert Bitmap to JPEG
Convert a BMP to a JPG.
Convert JPEG to Bitmap
Convert a JPG to a BMP.
Convert Bitmap to BPG
Convert a BMP to a BPG.
Convert BPG to Bitmap
Convert a BPG to a BMP.
Convert GIF to Bitmap
Save GIF frames as BMP images.
Convert BMP to GIF
Convert a bitmap to a single-frame GIF.
Convert Bitmap to Data URI
Create a Data URL scheme of a bitmap.
Convert Data URI to Bitmap
Convert a Data URL scheme back to a bitmap image.
BitBlt Bitmaps
Bit Blit two or more BMPs.
Replace Bitmap Color Index
Put a new color table in a BMP.
Print Bitmap Color Index
Extract the color table of a BMP.
Print Raw Bitmap Pixels
Extract raw RGB pixels from a BMP and print them out as text.
Convert Raw RGB to BMP
Create a bitmap image from raw RGB pixels.
Randomize Bitmap Color Index
Randomly rearrange colors in the BMP color table.
Optimize a Bitmap
Reduce a BMP's memory footprint.
Destroy a BMP
Destroy parts of a bitmap and make it glitchy.
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We're Browserling — a friendly and fun cross-browser testing company powered by alien technology. At Browserling our mission is to make developers' lives easier, so we created this collection of online bitmap tools. Unlike many other tools, we made our tools free, without ads, and with the simplest possible user interface. Our online bitmap tools are actually powered by our programming tools that we created over the last couple of years. Check them out!
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