Trim to the moment that matters
A GIF should usually communicate one brief action or reaction. Trim away pauses before and after the moment. Shorter clips are faster to convert and often much smaller to share.
Choose frame rate and dimensions
More frames per second can make movement smoother but increase file size. A smaller output width reduces the number of pixels in every frame. Start with a modest width and 8–12 FPS for a reaction or simple loop, then increase settings only if the movement looks choppy.
Why palette settings matter
GIF supports up to 256 colors per frame. A smaller palette can reduce file size but may cause banding in gradients or lose subtle colors. Dithering can make transitions look smoother, though it can add texture. Preview the result before sharing.
GIF versus video
GIF is convenient for simple looping animations and environments where video playback is not supported. For longer clips, sound, or efficient high-quality motion, MP4 or WebM is usually more suitable. A GIF may be larger than the source video because it stores frames as images.
Common questions
Why is my GIF so large?
Reduce duration, width, frame rate or palette size. GIF is often less efficient than modern video formats.
Does a GIF include sound?
No. GIF is an image animation format and does not preserve audio.
Why can conversion be slow?
FFmpeg WebAssembly runs in the browser and can be slower than native video tools, especially on older devices.