Free Video to GIF Converter - Convert MP4 to Animated GIF
Transform video clips into animated GIFs easily. Set start time, duration, and quality. Perfect for social media, memes, and reactions.
How to Convert Video to GIF
- Upload your video — MP4, WebM, MOV supported
- Set start time and duration — Choose which part to convert
- Adjust quality settings — FPS, width, and quality
- Convert and download — Get your GIF instantly
Optimal GIF Settings
| Use Case | FPS | Width | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social media | 10-15 | 480px | 3-5s |
| Website graphics | 10 | 640px | 2-4s |
| Memes/Reactions | 12 | 320px | 2-3s |
| High quality | 20-24 | 720px | 5-10s |
Why Convert Video to GIF?
Universal Compatibility
GIFs work everywhere — websites, emails, messages, forums. No player needed.
Autoplaying Content
Unlike videos, GIFs autoplay and loop on most platforms.
Smaller File Sizes
Short clips as GIFs are often smaller than video equivalents.
Easy Sharing
GIFs are the standard for reactions and memes across the internet.
GIF vs Video: When to Use Each
| Feature | GIF | Video |
|---|---|---|
| Autoplay | Yes | Sometimes |
| Sound | No | Yes |
| File size | Larger per second | Smaller |
| Best for | Short loops | Long content |
| Editing | Simple | Complex |
Optimizing GIF Quality
Frame Rate (FPS)
- 10 FPS: Smooth enough for most uses, small file size
- 15 FPS: Good balance of quality and size
- 24+ FPS: Video-like smoothness, large files
Resolution
Lower resolution = smaller file size. 480px width works for most uses.
Duration
Keep GIFs under 10 seconds. Longer GIFs become unwieldy.
Colors
GIFs are limited to 256 colors. Gradients may show banding.
GIF File Size Guide
| Duration | FPS | Width | Approximate Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3s | 10 | 320px | 500KB - 1MB |
| 3s | 15 | 480px | 1-2MB |
| 5s | 10 | 480px | 1.5-3MB |
| 10s | 15 | 640px | 5-15MB |
Creating Perfect Loops
For seamless looping GIFs:
- Find loop points — Actions that start and end similarly
- Match first and last frames — Reduce jarring transitions
- Use natural motions — Pendulum swings, waves, rotations
GIF Use Cases
Social Media
- Reactions
- Announcements
- Product demos
- Before/after reveals
Marketing
- Email header animations
- Banner ads
- Product highlights
- Tutorial snippets
Documentation
- UI demonstrations
- How-to guides
- Software tutorials
- Bug reports
Frequently Asked Questions
What video formats are supported?
MP4, WebM, MOV, and AVI. MP4 is most reliable.
Is there a file size limit?
Browser memory limits apply. Videos under 100MB work best.
Why is my GIF so large?
GIF compression is inefficient for complex scenes. Try:
- Shorter duration
- Lower FPS
- Smaller dimensions
- Simpler content
Can I add text to the GIF?
Not in this tool. Use a GIF editor after conversion.
Does this work on mobile?
Yes, though conversion is faster on desktop.
Is my video uploaded anywhere?
No! All processing happens locally in your browser.
Tips for Better Results
Before Converting
- Trim to the exact clip you need
- Choose a section with minimal camera movement
- Pick content with solid colors over gradients
During Conversion
- Start with 10 FPS and increase if needed
- Use 480px width as a starting point
- Keep duration under 5 seconds
After Converting
- Test the GIF on intended platforms
- Consider further optimization tools if needed
- Check file size meets platform limits
Platform-Specific Limits
| Platform | Max Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 15MB | Up to 512MB if uploaded as video | |
| Discord | 8MB (free) | 50MB with Nitro |
| Slack | 50MB | Varies by workspace |
| 20MB | For direct upload | |
| iMessage | 25MB | Auto-compresses |
Related Tools
- Image Compressor — Compress GIFs further
- Screen Recorder — Record screen to video
- Image Cropper — Edit images
- QR Code Generator — Create QR codes
Upload a video above to create your animated GIF.