How to Convert Video to GIF
- Pick the width, frames per second and colours (the defaults suit most clips).
- Add your MP4, WEBM or MOV video.
- Set the start and end seconds for the part you want to keep.
- Tap Create GIF, then download your animation.
Why Make a GIF Instead of a Video?
- It plays by itself: a GIF loops the moment it appears, with no play button and no sound.
- It works almost everywhere: chats, forums, documents and old email clients all show GIFs.
- Good for short reactions: a two second laugh, a dance step or a quick product demo reads better as a loop.
The trade off is file size. A GIF saves every frame as its own picture, so a long or wide clip grows heavy very fast. Keeping the clip short is the single biggest thing you can do.
Which Settings Should I Choose?
| Setting | Pick this when |
|---|---|
| 320 px · 8 fps | WhatsApp and chats, where a small file matters most |
| 480 px · 12 fps | Most clips – a good balance of size and smoothness |
| 640 px · 15–20 fps | Blog posts and product demos where detail matters |
| Fewer colours | Cartoons, screen recordings and flat graphics |
| More colours | Real footage with skin tones, sunsets or gradients |
If your first GIF comes out too heavy, drop the frames per second before you drop the width. Going from 15 fps to 8 fps almost halves the file and most short clips still look fine.
GIFs for WhatsApp, Instagram and Blogs
WhatsApp shows GIFs well when they are small and short, so 320 px at 8 fps is the safe choice there. For a blog or website, a 480 px or 640 px GIF looks sharper, but keep an eye on the file size because a heavy GIF slows the page down on mobile data.
Instagram and most social apps convert a GIF into a short video when you post it, so you do not need a large GIF for them. Make the clip look right first, then pick the smallest settings that still look good.
Need to shrink the pictures on your site instead? Try the Image Compressor or turn photos into light WEBP files.