---
name: "al_load_bitmap"
section: "3"
platform: "linux"
package: "allegro"
version: "5.2.11.3-2"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/al_load_bitmap"
---

# al\_load\_bitmap(3)

Allegro 5 API

## NAME

al\_load\_bitmap - Allegro 5 API

## SYNOPSIS

-

  ```
  #include <allegro5/allegro.h>
  ALLEGRO_BITMAP *al_load_bitmap(const char *filename)
  ```

## DESCRIPTION

Loads an image file into a new [ALLEGRO\_BITMAP(3)](/ALLEGRO_BITMAP/3.md). The file type is determined by [al\_identify\_bitmap(3)](/al_identify_bitmap/3.md), using the extension as a fallback in case identification is not possible.

Returns NULL on error.

This is the same as calling [al\_load\_bitmap\_flags(3)](/al_load_bitmap_flags/3.md) with a flags parameter of 0.

*Note:* the core Allegro library does not support any image file formats by default. You must use the allegro\_image addon, or register your own format handler.

## SEE ALSO

[al\_load\_bitmap\_flags(3)](/al_load_bitmap_flags/3.md), [al\_load\_bitmap\_f(3)](/al_load_bitmap_f/3.md), [al\_register\_bitmap\_loader(3)](/al_register_bitmap_loader/3.md), [al\_set\_new\_bitmap\_format(3)](/al_set_new_bitmap_format/3.md), [al\_set\_new\_bitmap\_flags(3)](/al_set_new_bitmap_flags/3.md), [al\_init\_image\_addon(3)](/al_init_image_addon/3.md)