How to Make a GIF from a Video (and Keep the File Small)

A short looping clip is often the clearest way to show something: a software step, a product detail, a reaction. GIFs work almost everywhere, from chat apps and forums to documentation, and you do not need a video player to show one.

Here is how to turn an MP4 video into a GIF, and how to keep the result small enough to actually use.

How to make a GIF from a video

1. Trim the clip. Cut the video down to just the moment you need. A few seconds is ideal.
2. Open the converter. Go to the MP4 to GIF converter.
3. Upload your video. Drag the file onto the upload box, or tap it and pick the video from your phone or computer.
4. Download the GIF. When the conversion finishes, save the file and share it.

If your video is a MOV, WebM or MKV file, convert it to MP4 first with the MOV to MP4, WebM to MP4 or MKV to MP4 converter, then make the GIF.

Why GIFs get so big

A GIF is an old image format that stores a clip as a series of full pictures with very simple compression. Each frame can use only 256 colors, and there is no sound. Compare that with MP4, which compresses video very efficiently. The same clip is often many times larger as a GIF than as an MP4.

That is not a flaw in the converter. It is how the format works, so the best way to get a small GIF is to start with a small video.

Tips for a smaller, better GIF

• Keep it short. Every extra second adds a lot of size. Aim for a few seconds.
• Crop to what matters. If you can cut out empty areas before converting, the file shrinks.
• Choose simple footage. Screen recordings and scenes with flat colors turn into clean, small GIFs. Fast motion and smooth gradients look worse and take more space.
• Avoid long videos. You can upload files up to 200 MB, but a long video produces a very large GIF. Trim it first.

What you lose when you make a GIF

• Sound. GIFs cannot carry audio, so it is dropped.
• Color smoothness. With 256 colors per frame, gradients such as sunsets can look banded.
• File efficiency. The GIF will be larger than the original video.

Is a GIF the right format?

A GIF is best when you need something that plays automatically in an app or on a site that accepts images but not video, like some chat tools, forums and email. If you control a website, a short muted video in MP4 or WebM is usually much smaller and sharper than a GIF. You can create one with the MP4 to WebM converter.

Frequently asked questions

Does the GIF include sound?

No. The GIF format cannot store audio, so the sound from your video is left out.

Why is my GIF so much bigger than my video?

GIF uses very weak compression compared with video formats. The same clip is commonly many times larger as a GIF. A shorter clip gives a smaller file.

How long should a GIF be?

As short as possible while still getting the point across. A few seconds works best for both size and attention.

Can I make a GIF on my phone?

Yes. Open the converter in your phone's browser, choose the video from your gallery, and download the GIF when it is ready.

Can I convert a long video to GIF?

You can upload up to 200 MB, but long videos create very large GIFs. For best results, trim the video to the part you need first.

Ready to try it? Open the MP4 to GIF converter. It is free, with no sign-up and no watermark. Having trouble with a video format first? Read our guide on how to convert MKV, AVI and MOV to MP4.