How to convert a video to a GIF
- Pick a video. It stays on your computer. The page plays it with your browser’s own video player; nothing is uploaded.
- Choose the part you want. Type a start time, or scrub the player to the right moment and press Start from current frame. Then set the length, up to 15 seconds.
- Choose a size and frame rate. 480 px wide at 10 fps suits most docs, chat apps and README files.
- Make the GIF. Each frame is drawn onto a canvas, reduced to 256 colours and added to the GIF. Preview it, check the size, then download.
Keeping the file small
GIF is an old format. It stores every frame as a picture with at most 256 colours and compresses it losslessly, so GIFs are much bigger than the MP4 they came from. Three settings decide the size:
| Setting | Effect on size | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Width | Doubling the width roughly quadruples the size | 320 px is plenty for a chat message |
| Frame rate | 15 fps makes 50% more frames than 10 fps | Use 15 fps only for fast motion |
| Length | Size grows with every second | Trim to the one moment that matters |
Screen recordings with flat colours compress far better than camera footage. Busy, noisy video (people, outdoor scenes) produces large GIFs and visible banding, because 256 colours can’t cover smooth gradients.
Where GIFs still make sense
- GitHub READMEs, issues and pull requests, where video embeds are limited.
- Docs and help centres that show a short UI step on loop.
- Email, where most clients don’t play video but do play GIFs.
- Slack and chat, where a GIF loops inline without a click.
Anywhere that plays video, an MP4 or WebM looks better and is a fraction of the size. GIFs have no sound.
Other ways to make a GIF
ffmpeg can do it from the command line with its palettegen and paletteuse filters, which give good colour. On a Mac, apps such as Gifski produce high-quality GIFs from a video file.
FAQ
How do I convert a video to a GIF for free?
Open your video above, set the start time and length, choose a width and frame rate, and press Make GIF. It’s free, with no sign-up and no watermark.
Is my video uploaded when I make a GIF?
No. The frames are read and encoded by your browser on your own computer. Only the small GIF encoder script is downloaded when you start.
How do I make a GIF smaller?
Use a smaller width (320 px), 10 fps and a shorter clip. Width matters most: halving it cuts the file to roughly a quarter.
Can I convert an MOV from my iPhone or Mac to a GIF?
Yes, if your browser can play it. Safari plays most MOV files, including HEVC. Chrome plays MOV files that use H.264; for HEVC files, use Safari.