Guide

How to Make a GIF From a Video

Create short, loopable GIFs from MP4 or WebM videos.

Step-by-step

Open the video to GIF tool and upload an MP4 or WebM file.
Confirm the GIF preset and adjust dimensions if needed.
Run the conversion and download the GIF output.

Start with a clean source

The GIF tool accepts MP4 and WebM inputs. If your source is MOV, AVI, or another format, convert it to MP4 first and then create the GIF.

Using a clean, standard MP4 makes the conversion more predictable and avoids issues with rotation metadata or unusual codecs.

MP4 and WebM are the safest inputs.
Convert other formats before creating a GIF.
Use a high quality source and downscale later.

Pick a strong highlight

The best GIFs show one clear action. If your video is long, trim it down to the highlight before converting. This improves clarity and keeps file size manageable.

Aim for a short, purposeful moment that loops well. A quick UI interaction, a gesture, or a short transition usually works best.

Keep clips short, typically 2 to 6 seconds.
Avoid fast camera motion that creates noise.
Trim first if you only need part of the video.

Optimize size for sharing

GIFs can grow quickly. Start with a short clip and reduce the output dimensions if you need a smaller file. This keeps the GIF light enough to share in chat tools and docs.

Reducing width and height is the most effective way to shrink a GIF. A smaller output often looks better in support tickets and documentation.

Aim for a few seconds of motion.
Reduce width to reduce file size.
Use MP4 for longer clips that need audio.

Video to GIF tool configured with a sample video URL — Example Video to GIF configuration with output settings.

Handle common GIF issues

If the GIF is rotated or looks off, re-encode the source video to MP4 and try again. If colors look different, remember that GIFs have limited color depth compared to video.

If the GIF looks choppy, shorten the clip or reduce the output size. Busy scenes and large dimensions often cause stutter.

Choppy output usually means the clip is too large.
Color banding is normal for GIFs.
Re-encode unusual sources before converting.

Formats and limits

The GIF converter accepts MP4 and WebM and outputs a GIF. If your source is another format, convert it to MP4 first to keep the workflow simple.

Limits depend on your plan and usage. Anonymous users are rate limited, while authenticated accounts can scale based on available credits.

Input: MP4 or WebM.
Output: GIF.
Shorter clips process faster.

Quick checklist before exporting

A quick checklist keeps GIFs small and clear. Run through these items before exporting to avoid multiple retries.

If any item looks off, trim or resize first, then convert again.

Clip is 2 to 6 seconds long.
Output width is small enough for sharing.
Motion is clear and not too fast.
Source is MP4 or WebM.

Share and store outputs

Once the GIF is ready, download it and store it where your team can find it. For customer-facing assets, keep a copy in your own storage for long-term access.

If you need to share multiple GIFs, naming files consistently helps keep assets organized.

API option for automation

Use the API to automate video to GIF conversions. Submit jobs with URLs and collect output links when processing completes. This is ideal for repeatable pipelines.

You can queue multiple jobs, track status via job IDs, and store outputs in your own storage.

POST /video/convert with out_format=gif.
GET /jobs/:id to check status.
Use webhooks for completion if you want callbacks.

When to keep video instead

GIFs are great for quick loops, but they do not include audio. If the content needs sound or is longer than a few seconds, keep it as MP4 and share the video instead.

If the goal is quality, MP4 will preserve more detail and color depth.

Try the tool

Any MP4 or WebM video to GIF: create loopable animations for sharing and support.

Open Video to GIF Converter View API docs

API option

Use POST /video/convert with out_format=gif, then poll /jobs/:id.