Convert MP4 to GIF

The video opens in a preview with two sliders for the start and end. You can also type exact times (1:23.5), jump to the current playback position with Set start here and Set end here, and click Play selection to check the loop before converting. A GIF can be made from up to 30 seconds of video; the tool keeps the selection within that limit. Short clips of 2 to 6 seconds make the best GIFs: they load fast, loop smoothly and stay under the size limits of most platforms.

GIFs are much larger than videos of the same length, because every frame is stored as a full image with up to 256 colors. Three settings control the size:

The tool shows the GIF's dimensions, frame count and an estimated size range before you start, so you can adjust first. 10 fps at 480 px is a good default for reactions and tutorials; use 15–20 fps for fast motion. GIF stores frame timing in hundredths of a second, so 15 fps actually plays at about 14 fps (one frame every 70 ms), which you won't notice. If the result is over 8 MB, the tool suggests lowering one of the settings.

Your browser decodes only the frames needed for the chosen frame rate, using the built-in WebCodecs video engine, and each frame is converted to a 256-color palette of its own and added to the GIF. Only one frame is in memory at a time, so even long, high-resolution source videos work. The finished GIF loops forever and has no watermark.

Everything happens on your device: the video isn't uploaded. It works in current Chrome and Edge, Safari 16.4 or later and Firefox 130 or later on desktop.

• Crop the story, not the frame: a GIF works best when one thing happens, such as a reaction, a product spin or a single UI step.
• Avoid fades and gradients: with only 256 colors per frame, smooth gradients turn into visible bands. Footage with flat colors and clear edges, like screen recordings, compresses best.
• Keep text large: at 480 px wide, small captions become unreadable.
• Mind platform limits: many chat apps, forums and email clients cap image uploads at a few megabytes, so check the estimate before you share.

GIFs autoplay and loop everywhere, including email, chat apps, forums and documentation, which is why they're still popular. But for anything longer than a few seconds, or with fine detail, a short MP4 is far smaller and looks better, and most social platforms convert uploaded GIFs into video anyway. If you need a smaller video instead, try the video compressor or trim the video first.