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How to Convert Video to GIF
Upload a video file (MP4, WebM, MOV, AVI, or MKV)
Set the start time and duration for the GIF clip (maximum 30 seconds)
Adjust frames per second and output resolution to balance quality and file size
Click Process and download your animated GIF
How palette optimization produces better GIFs
Standard video-to-GIF conversion maps millions of colors down to 256, causing ugly color banding and dithering artifacts. This tool uses a two-pass approach: first analyzing all frames to build an optimal 256-color palette weighted toward the actual colors in your video, then applying that palette with Bayer dithering for smooth transitions. The difference is dramatic for video containing gradients, skin tones, or natural scenery.
Standard vs palette-optimized GIF conversion
Choosing the right settings for your use case
- Chat and messaging (Slack, Discord, Teams): 320px width, 10 FPS, 3-5 seconds. Target under 2 MB.
- Social media posts (Twitter, Reddit): 480px width, 10-12 FPS, 5-10 seconds. Target under 5 MB.
- Presentations and documentation: 640px width, 10 FPS, 3-8 seconds. Quality over file size.
- Tutorial and UI demos: 640px or original width, 15 FPS for smooth motion, keep under 15 seconds.
- Reaction GIFs and memes: 320px width, 8-10 FPS, 2-4 seconds. Small file size for easy sharing.
- Email signatures and banners: 240-320px width, 8 FPS, 2-3 seconds. Must be under 1 MB for email clients.
Getting the best results from video-to-GIF conversion
- Trim video to exact segment before converting — shorter clips produce smaller, higher-quality GIFs
- Use 480px or lower width for most purposes — original resolution creates unnecessarily large files
- Keep FPS between 8-12 for most content — higher FPS doubles file size with minimal visual improvement
- Choose source video with good lighting and minimal camera shake for cleanest results
- Scenes with limited motion (talking heads, UI demos) compress far better than fast action
- If the GIF is too large, reduce resolution first (biggest impact), then FPS, then duration
- MP4 with H.264 codec processes fastest — convert other formats to MP4 first if processing stalls
- Close other browser tabs to free memory for processing larger videos
GIF format limitations and when to use alternatives
GIF is universally supported but technically limited: 256 colors per frame, no audio, and large file sizes compared to modern formats. For short loops and simple animations, GIF remains the most compatible choice. For longer or higher-quality content, consider WebM or MP4 — most platforms now support inline video that behaves like a GIF (autoplay, loop, muted). This tool focuses on GIF because it works everywhere: email, chat, forums, presentations, and older platforms that don't support video embeds.
Known limitations and troubleshooting
- Processing fails on large files: browser memory is limited. Try shorter duration or lower resolution.
- Black frames in output: some video codecs are not fully supported. Convert source to MP4 (H.264) first.
- Very slow processing: single-threaded mode is 2-4x slower. Use Chrome or Firefox for best performance.
- Output GIF is very large: reduce resolution to 320px and FPS to 8. Every setting reduction compounds.
- Colors look wrong: source video may use a color space not fully supported. Try a different source format.
- Safari processing errors: Safari has stricter memory limits. Keep source videos under 100 MB on Safari.
Key Features
Browser-Based FFmpeg Processing
FFmpeg runs directly in your browser via WebAssembly. Your video never leaves your device — no uploads, no server processing, complete privacy.
Palette Optimization
Two-pass palette generation creates GIFs with smooth gradients and accurate colors, unlike naive conversion that produces banding artifacts.
Precise Trim Control
Set exact start time and duration in seconds. Preview the video segment before converting to avoid wasted processing time.
Resolution Presets
Scale output to 240px, 320px, 480px, or 640px width for optimized file sizes. Original resolution also available for maximum quality.
Complete Privacy
Video files are processed entirely in your browser using WebAssembly. No data is uploaded to any server. Files exist only in browser memory during processing and are discarded when you close the page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can the GIF be?
Maximum 30 seconds. Longer GIFs produce extremely large files. For best results keep clips under 10 seconds — a 10-second GIF at 480px and 10 FPS is typically 2-5 MB.
Why is processing slow?
Video processing via WebAssembly is slower than native software. A 10-second clip typically takes 15-45 seconds depending on resolution and device. Multi-threaded mode (Chrome/Firefox with cross-origin isolation) is 2-4x faster.
What is the maximum file size I can process?
Browser memory limits apply. Videos under 200 MB work reliably on most devices. Larger files may fail on mobile or devices with limited RAM. If processing fails, try a shorter clip or lower resolution.
Why does the GIF look grainy or banded?
GIF format supports only 256 colors per frame. Palette optimization helps significantly, but some quality loss is inherent to the format. Lower resolution and fewer FPS often produce cleaner results than high-resolution conversions.
Which video formats are supported?
MP4, WebM, MOV, AVI, and MKV. MP4 (H.264) is most widely compatible and processes fastest. Some codecs within containers may not be supported by the WebAssembly build.
Which browsers are supported?
Chrome 79+, Firefox 76+, Edge 79+, and Safari 15+. Multi-threaded mode requires cross-origin isolation headers and works in Chrome and Firefox for significantly faster processing.
How do I reduce the GIF file size?
Three factors control file size: resolution (biggest impact — use 320px for chat/social), FPS (8-10 is sufficient for most content), and duration (every second adds significantly). Scenes with less motion also compress better.