MP4 to GIF converter

Convert part of an MP4 into a sharp, looping GIF. Each frame gets its own optimised colour palette, and the whole job runs on your device.

Runs on your device. Nothing is uploaded.
RunsIn your browser
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CollectionVideo tools
Drop an MP4 hereor choose a file. WebM and MOV work too.or paste with Ctrl V / ⌘ V

Video to GIF

Good to know
  • Your browser decodes the video, so MKV and HEVC (H.265) files may not open in Chrome or Firefox. MP4 (H.264) and WebM work everywhere.
  • GIFs are limited to 256 colours per frame, so gradients can show banding.
  • The vertical converter plays the clip and records it in real time.

MP4 versus GIF

MP4 with H.264 is a modern video format: it stores mostly the changes between frames, and supports millions of colours and sound. GIF is from 1989: every frame is stored as an image of up to 256 colours, with no audio. The same five seconds can be 300 KB as MP4 and several megabytes as GIF.

GIF still wins on compatibility. It autoplays and loops everywhere images are allowed: chat apps, email, documentation, issue trackers and forums that would never embed a video. This converter makes that trade as painless as possible.

How to convert MP4 to GIF

  1. Load the MP4. It opens in the player on the left.
  2. Mark the part you want. Play to the start, set “Start = current time”, then do the same for the end.
  3. Tune quality and size. Start at 12 fps, 480 px and 256 colours, then adjust using the size estimate.
  4. Make the GIF. Download it when the preview looks right.

Settings explained

Per-frame palettes
Each frame is analysed and given its own best 256 (or fewer) colours, which avoids the washed-out look of a single global palette.
Width options
240 to 800 px or original size. Even numbers are used so frames encode cleanly.

Phone videos

iPhone videos are often HEVC in a .mov file. Safari can open them; Chrome and Firefox may not, depending on the system. If a phone video will not load, set the iPhone camera to Most Compatible for future recordings, or open this page in Safari.

Vertical MP4s

Vertical videos make tall GIFs. Pick a smaller width, such as 320 px, so the GIF does not dominate a chat window.

Troubleshooting

The video loads but shows black frames
Some browsers need the video to be fully loaded before seeking. Play it once, then make the GIF.
Encoding is slow
Large widths and high fps mean many big frames. Reduce width or fps, or shorten the clip.

Frequently asked questions

Will the GIF keep the MP4 quality?

As close as GIF allows. The 256-colour limit is the main difference.

Can I convert the whole MP4?

Yes, but keep it short; long GIFs get very large.

Is audio kept?

GIF has no audio.

What about GIF to MP4?

Not supported on this site.

Is my video uploaded?

No. Your browser plays and processes the video locally. Nothing is sent to a server, so even long or private recordings stay on your device.

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