WaffleFrameGetting crisp GIF colors
A GIF can only hold 256 colors, which is why many converters produce blotchy, banded GIFs. This tool first scans your clip and builds a custom palette for that exact moment, then applies it with light dithering. Skin tones, gradients and logos come out much cleaner.
Keeping GIF file size small
GIFs get big fast. Three settings decide the size:
- Length — every extra second adds frames. Aim for 2–6 seconds.
- Width — 320px is great for chats, 480px for docs and emails, 640px for websites.
- Smoothness (fps) — 10–12 fps looks fluid for most clips; 20+ is only needed for fast motion.
Halving the width roughly quarters the file size. Need a small file with sound instead? Convert to MP4 with the Video Converter.
Where GIFs still beat video
GIFs play automatically and loop forever everywhere: Slack, Teams, Discord, GitHub, Notion, email newsletters and old-fashioned forums. They need no player and no play button, which makes them perfect for reactions, short product demos and step-by-step how-tos.
A GIF maker without uploads
The GIF maker runs ffmpeg compiled to WebAssembly inside your browser. Your video never leaves your device: the GIF is created in memory and saved directly to your downloads.
Recommended GIF settings
| Use | Width | Frame rate | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chat reaction | 320 px | 10–12 fps | 2–4 s |
| Docs & email | 480 px | 12 fps | 3–6 s |
| Website demo | 640 px | 15 fps | 5–10 s |
Who is this for?
Chat & reactions
Make a reaction GIF from your own clip for group chats.
Product teams
Show a feature in action inside docs, tickets and release notes.
Bloggers & marketers
Add autoplaying motion to emails and blog posts.
Gamers
Share a clutch moment without anyone needing to press play.
Tips for best results
- Keep it under 6 seconds — short GIFs are smaller and loop better.
- Choose a moment that starts and ends in a similar position for a smooth loop.
- Use 320px for chats; most apps show GIFs small anyway.
- Lower the frame rate before lowering the width if the file is too big.
- Remember: GIFs have no sound. Use MP4 if audio matters.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert a video to a GIF?
Drop your video into the GIF maker above, set where the GIF starts and how long it lasts, pick a width and frame rate and click Make GIF. You get a looping GIF that you can download right away. Each GIF uses one free use or credit.
How long can my GIF be?
Up to 15 seconds. GIFs grow very quickly in size, so longer ones become too heavy for most chat apps and websites. For anything longer, a short MP4 looks better and is many times smaller; you can make one with the Video Converter or the Video Trimmer.
Why does my GIF have no sound?
The GIF format simply cannot contain audio — that's a limit of GIF itself. If you need sound, export an MP4 instead. Most chat apps and social networks autoplay short MP4s silently too, so you often get the same effect with better quality.
How do I make my GIF smaller?
Shorten it first, then lower the frame rate to around 10 fps and choose a smaller width such as 320 pixels. Halving the width cuts the file size to roughly a quarter. Clips with less motion and fewer colors also compress much better.
Is my video uploaded to make the GIF?
No. The GIF is made inside your browser using ffmpeg compiled to WebAssembly. Your video is read from your device, turned into a GIF in memory and saved to your downloads. Nothing is uploaded, so private clips stay on your device.
Why do my GIFs look better than other converters?
Instead of a generic 256-color palette, this tool scans your clip and builds a custom palette for that exact moment, then applies it with light dithering. That avoids most of the blotches and color banding you see in quick GIF converters, especially on faces and gradients.
