Various embodiments of systems and methods for performing volume-based incremental backups are disclosed. A method may involve generating a snappoint of a volume. The snappoint indicates which portions (e.g., blocks or extents) of the volume have been modified between a time at which the snappoint was generated and a time at which a subsequent snappoint was generated. The method may also involve accessing information mapping the file to the volume and, if the snappoint identifies as having been modified any blocks of the volume to which the file maps, copying those blocks from the subsequent snappoint to the backup device. Portions not identified as having been modified by the snappoint are not copied. Program instructions implementing such a method may be stored on a computer accessible medium.