Free MP4 GIF converter
MP4 to GIF: convert an MP4 file to an animated GIF
Convert MP4 to GIF in a few clicks: pick the seconds you want, choose the frame rate and size, and download a GIF that loops anywhere an image can go. The MP4 is converted on your device, so even a large file opens right away.
Drop an MP4 to convert to GIF
MP4, MOV, WebM, or any video your browser plays · pick the start, end, and frame rate · up to 150 frames
or paste with Ctrl/⌘ + V
How it works
How to convert MP4 to GIF
- 1
Add the MP4
Drop the .mp4 file on the converter above. A preview opens with start and end handles.
- 2
Choose the part and the frame rate
Trim to the seconds you need and pick 5–25 frames per second. Fewer seconds and frames mean a smaller GIF.
- 3
Convert and download
Click Add frames, adjust the size under Canvas if you like, then Create GIF. Check the file size in the preview before you download.
MP4 vs GIF
What changes when an MP4 becomes a GIF
MP4 is a video format and GIF is an image format that happens to animate. That difference explains both why people convert MP4 to GIF and why the GIF usually comes out larger:
| MP4 | GIF | |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | Stores mostly the changes between frames | Stores every frame as its own picture |
| Colors | Millions | Up to 256 per frame |
| Sound | Yes | No |
| Transparency | No | Yes (each pixel fully on or off) |
| Plays in | Video players and <video> tags | Anywhere an image works: chats, email, docs, README files |
| Autoplay and loop | Depends on the player and its settings | Always, with no controls |
So convert when the clip has to play where video can't, like a README, an email, a help article, or a chat that doesn't autoplay videos, and keep the MP4 when sound or long duration matters.
File size
Getting a small GIF from a large MP4
Because a GIF can't share data between frames the way MP4 does, the settings below matter far more than the size of the MP4 you started with. In order of impact:
- Width: 320–480 px is plenty for chats and docs. Halving the width cuts the file to about a quarter.
- Length: trim to the seconds that matter. Every frame you drop is a full picture saved.
- Frame rate: 10 fps is smooth for most MP4 clips; 5 fps works for slow scenes and screen walkthroughs.
- Colors: try 128 or 64 under Style. Screen recordings with flat colors barely change.
- One palette for all frames: for MP4s where the scene stays the same, it saves space and stops color flicker.
After you click Create GIF, the preview shows the exact file size, so you can adjust and try again.
Codecs
When an MP4 won't open
An MP4 is a container: the video inside it can be compressed with different codecs, and your browser has to be able to decode that codec. If the converter says it can't play a file, the codec is the reason.
H.264 (AVC)
The most common codec inside MP4 files. Every modern browser plays it, so these files always convert.
H.265 (HEVC)
Used by recent iPhones and some cameras. Safari plays it; support in other browsers depends on your device. If it won't open, try Safari or re-export as H.264.
AV1
A newer codec used by some apps and downloads. Current Chrome, Edge, and Firefox play it; older browsers and devices may not.
Have a MOV, WebM, or a phone video instead? The video to GIF converter covers clips from phones, screen recorders, and webcams.
FAQ
MP4 to GIF FAQ
- How do I convert MP4 to GIF?
- Add the MP4 to the converter above, drag the handles to the part you want, pick a frame rate, and click Add frames. Then click Create GIF, check the preview, and download it.
- Is this MP4 to GIF converter free?
- Yes. No sign-up, no watermark, and no limit on how many MP4 files you convert.
- How large can the MP4 file be?
- Up to 2 GB. The file plays from your disk instead of being loaded into memory, and only the frames you select are read from it.
- Why is my GIF bigger than the MP4?
- MP4 saves only what changes between frames, while GIF saves every frame as a full picture with its own colors. A GIF is often several times larger than the MP4 it came from. Lower the width, trim the clip, or use fewer colors to bring it down.
- Will the GIF look as good as the MP4?
- Close, but not identical: each GIF frame can hold up to 256 colors, so smooth gradients like skies can show banding. Dithering, on by default, hides most of it.
- Can I convert MP4 to GIF on my phone?
- Yes, in Safari on iPhone and iPad and in Chrome on Android. Phones are limited to 60 frames and 640 px so the browser doesn't run out of memory.
- Can I convert MOV or WebM files too?
- Yes. Any video your browser can play works the same way; see the video to GIF converter for tips on phone videos and screen recordings.
- Is my MP4 uploaded anywhere?
- No. The MP4 is decoded and the GIF is made inside your browser. The file never leaves your device.