What is GIF (Graphics Interchange Format)?
GIF is the classic format for short looping animations, limited to 256 colors.
GIF dates from 1987. Its 256-color limit makes photos look grainy, and animated GIFs are usually many times larger than the same clip as MP4 or WebP.
File extensions: .gifMIME types: image/gif
Advantages
- Plays animations everywhere
- Simple transparency
- Universally supported
Disadvantages
- Only 256 colors
- Large files for animations
- No sound
Typical uses
- Reaction animations
- Simple icons and banners
- Chat stickers
Compatibility
Every browser, chat app and social platform shows GIFs.
Convert GIF to another format
Convert to GIF from another format
Frequently asked questions
Are my files uploaded to a server?
No. The conversion runs entirely in your browser with local code. Your files never leave your device, and there is no upload.
Is there a file size limit?
There is no limit on our side, but your browser memory is. Images work for very large files; for videos, files above a few hundred megabytes can fail on devices with little memory.
Will the quality suffer?
That depends on the target format and settings. Use the quality option to balance size and detail; lossless targets keep everything the source contained.
Which browsers are supported?
Current versions of Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari. Fast hardware paths are used where available, with a compatible fallback otherwise.