Video to GIF converter
Turn a clip into a looping GIF in seconds.
Runs in your browser. Your files never leave your device.
- Set start and end time
- 5 to 20 fps
- Nothing uploaded
How to make a GIF from a video
- Drop your video here.
- Set the start time, end time, frame rate and width.
- Download the GIF.
Frame rate and width
The frame rate slider runs from 5 to 20 fps, and the width field accepts anything up to your video's own width, with 480 pixels as the default.
| Setting | Good for | Effect on file size |
|---|---|---|
| 5 fps | Slideshows, mostly still shots | Smallest, motion looks choppy |
| 10 fps | Most clips, talking or walking | Balanced, the default |
| 15 to 20 fps | Sports, fast gestures, gameplay | Smoothest, largest file |
| Width 240 to 320px | Chat apps, small previews | Quarter to a third the size of 480px |
| Width 480px | General sharing, forum posts | Default, readable on most screens |
Estimating the file size
The estimate above the drop zone multiplies the number of frames by the pixel count of each frame. Doubling the frame rate roughly doubles the file size, and doubling the width roughly quadruples it, since width and height both grow.
| 3 second clip at | Frames | About |
|---|---|---|
| 10 fps, 480px wide | 30 frames | 0.5 to 0.6 MB |
| 20 fps, 480px wide | 60 frames | 1 to 1.2 MB |
| 10 fps, 240px wide | 30 frames | 0.13 to 0.16 MB |
Actual size depends on how much the picture changes between frames, so a static shot compresses better than fast motion even at the same settings.
Tips for a smaller GIF
- Trim the clip to only the part you need. Cutting a 10 second clip down to 3 seconds cuts the file size by roughly the same ratio.
- Lower the width before lowering the frame rate. A narrower GIF still looks smooth, while a low frame rate can look stuttery.
- Skip frame rates above 15 fps unless the motion genuinely needs it, since GIF has no way to compress the extra frames efficiently.
- If a GIF still comes out too large for where you're posting it, convert a shorter section instead of a lower quality one.
Video to GIF FAQ
Why is my GIF so much bigger than the source video?
GIF compresses far less efficiently than modern video codecs. Every frame is quantized down to its own 256-color palette and stored mostly as is, with none of the motion prediction that keeps MP4 or WebM small. A short, low-resolution, low frame rate clip keeps the file manageable.
What frame rate should I use?
10 frames per second (the default) looks smooth enough for most clips and keeps the file smaller. Drop to 5 fps for a slideshow-style clip, or go up to 15 or 20 only for fast motion, since each extra frame adds directly to the file size.
Is there a length limit?
There is no fixed limit, but GIFs longer than a few seconds or wider than 480 pixels can get large fast. The tool defaults the end time to 3 seconds after the start, which is a good length to aim for.
Does the GIF include sound?
No. The GIF format has no audio channel at all, so the soundtrack is always dropped, whatever the source video contains.
Can I make the GIF wider than my video?
No. The width field is capped at your video's own width, so you can only match it or scale down, never up.
Can I convert several videos to GIF at once?
This tool works with one video at a time. Convert one, download it, then drop the next video in.
Which video formats can I use as the source?
MP4, MOV, WebM, MKV and most other formats your browser can decode. The GIF that comes out is the same regardless of the source format.
Is my video uploaded?
No. The GIF is built entirely in your browser.