What Is a Bitmap Image?
A plain-English definition of a bitmap image: what the word means, how a computer stores one, and how it compares to vectors — with examples you can try yourself.
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Bitmap: meaning and definition
A bitmap is an image made of a grid of tiny squares called pixels, each holding a colour value. The name comes from a “map of bits”. Photos, screenshots and scans are all bitmaps. Common bitmap formats include .bmp, PNG, JPG and GIF.
How are bitmap images stored by a computer?
The computer records the image as rows of pixels. For each pixel it stores numbers for colour — for example red, green and blue values. A pure 1-bit bitmap stores just one bit per pixel: black or white. More bits per pixel means more colours and larger files.
Bitmap vs vector, in one line
A bitmap stores pixels, so it can blur when enlarged; a vector stores shapes and math, so it scales cleanly. See the full comparison in bitmap vs vector.
See it for yourself
Drop any photo into the converter and watch it become a 1-bit bitmap. Enlarge the pixel size and you can literally see the grid the definition describes.
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Frequently asked questions
What is a bitmap image in simple terms?
An image made of a grid of coloured pixels. Photos and screenshots are bitmaps.
What does bitmap mean?
It means a “map of bits” — a grid where each cell (pixel) stores colour information.
How are bitmaps stored by a computer?
As rows of pixels, with colour values recorded for each pixel. A 1-bit bitmap uses one bit per pixel: black or white.
Is a PNG or JPG a bitmap?
Yes, both are bitmap (raster) images, even though they are not .bmp files.
What is an example of a bitmap?
A digital photo, a screenshot, or a scanned document are all bitmap images.