Video & audio converter
Video to GIF Converter
Turn MP4, MOV, WEBM, MKV or AVI clips into an animated GIF. We use up to the first 30 seconds, at 480px wide.
Tested by Thiago · Updated
Free, no sign-up · Sent over HTTPS · Files are deleted from our server automatically after 30 minutes
How to convert video to GIF
- Add your files: drag them into the box above, or click "Choose files".
- Click "Convert to GIF" and wait a few seconds while we process them.
- Download your GIF files. Uploaded files are deleted right away, and converted files are removed from our server after 30 minutes.
Why convert video to GIF?
Turn clips from your phone, screen recorder or camera into animated GIFs, whatever the video format. This converter accepts MP4, M4V, MOV, WEBM, MKV and AVI, and creates a looping GIF with an optimized color palette, ready to drop into a chat, a document or a web page.
- You recorded your screen (often WEBM or MKV) and want a GIF for a bug report or tutorial.
- You filmed something on an iPhone (MOV) and want to share it as a looping animation.
- You need an animation that plays automatically without a video player.
Screen recordings make the lightest GIFs
A recording of an app or a web page is mostly flat color, and large parts of the screen stay still between frames. GIF handles that very well. Our 3-second screen-recording test came out at 0.21 MB, while 3 seconds of camera footage with natural grain gave 2.7 MB, about thirteen times more. Even 20 seconds of the screen recording stayed under 3 MB.
The catch is text. Your screen is scaled down to 480 pixels wide, a quarter of a full HD screen, so small menu labels become hard to read. Before recording, zoom the page in or record only the window or area that matters, rather than your whole monitor.
What to expect from each kind of file
- MOV from an iPhone: a video filmed upright stays upright in the GIF, because the rotation saved by the phone is applied.
- WEBM or MKV from a screen recorder: recordings made at 60 frames per second are reduced to 12, which is plenty for clicks and scrolling but not for games.
- AVI from an older camera: low resolution files work fine; a video narrower than 480 pixels is scaled up to that width, so it may look softer.
- Any format: the sound is removed and only the first 30 seconds are used.
Tips for the best result
- The GIF uses up to the first 30 seconds, at 480 pixels wide and 12 frames per second.
- Trim your clip to the exact moment first for the smallest, sharpest GIF.
- For long clips, consider the video compressor instead: a small MP4 looks better than a large GIF.
- For a bug report, start recording a second before the problem happens and stop right after, so the loop shows exactly one occurrence.
About these formats
Video formats: We accept MP4, M4V, MOV, WEBM, MKV and AVI videos, the formats used by phones, cameras, screen recorders and most editing apps.
GIF: A short, silent, looping animation that plays everywhere: chats, social networks, emails and websites.
Frequently asked questions
Which video formats can I turn into a GIF?
MP4, M4V, MOV, WEBM, MKV and AVI.
Does the GIF have sound?
No. The GIF format does not support audio.
How big will my GIF be?
It depends on the motion and colors in the clip. Short clips of a few seconds usually make light, easy-to-share GIFs.
Can I make a GIF from just part of the screen?
Not on this page: the whole frame of the video is used. Crop the recording in your screen recorder or video editor first, or record only the area you want to show.
Can I turn a GIF back into a video?
Not here. This tool only goes from video to GIF, and GIF files are not accepted as input. Keep your original recording if you might need it again.