MP4 to GIF Converter
Make an animated GIF from any MP4 your browser can play. The video stays on your device; the conversion runs in your browser.
Your video never leaves this device. Conversion happens in your browser.
Converting MP4 to GIF, step by step
- Open the MP4. It loads straight from your device into the preview player.
- Choose the moment. A GIF works best as a short loop, so pick a few seconds rather than the whole video.
- Set the size. 480 px wide at 12 fps is a good default. The frame count and estimated size update live.
- Convert and save. Check the preview, then download the GIF.
Which MP4 files work
MP4 is a container: the video inside it can use different codecs. The converter uses your browser’s own video decoder, so any MP4 the browser can play will convert. If the browser can’t decode the video inside, the tool says so instead of producing a broken GIF.
- H.264 (AVC) MP4s are broadly compatible with browsers and are the safest choice.
- HEVC (H.265) MP4 or MOV from an iPhone or iPad. Apple devices can capture video in HEVC, and browser support for HEVC varies by browser and device. If your browser won’t open the file, switch the camera to Most Compatible (Settings > Camera > Formats), which records H.264 instead.
- Screen recordings and exports from editors are usually H.264 MP4 and work well; enable Skip unchanged pixels for much smaller GIFs from screen recordings.
Choosing a width and frame rate
File size grows with the number of pixels per frame and the number of frames. Going from 640 to 320 px wide cuts the pixels per frame to a quarter; going from 20 to 10 fps halves the frames. For a reaction clip or a quick demo, 320–480 px at 10–15 fps is usually a good balance. Fast action looks smoother at 20–30 fps if you can afford the size.
| Use | Width | Frame rate | Colors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chat reaction or meme | 320–400 px | 10–12 fps | 128–256 |
| Product or UI demo | 480–640 px | 10–15 fps | 64–256 |
| Smooth, fast motion | 400–480 px | 20–30 fps | 256 |
| Smallest possible file | 240 px | 5–8 fps | 32 |
These are starting points, not rules: the right settings depend on your clip. Have a WebM instead? Use the WebM to GIF converter. Already made the GIF and it’s too big? Compress it or resize it.
Frequently asked questions
How do I turn an MP4 into a GIF?
Open the MP4 above, set the start and end of the part you want, choose a width and frame rate, then press Convert to GIF and download the result.
Is there a file-size limit for the MP4?
There's no upload, so no server limit. Your browser plays the file directly from your device. What matters is the GIF you create: this tool allows up to 1,500 frames and 1,280 px wide, and warns you if the result is likely to be very large.
My iPhone video won't open. What can I do?
iPhones can record in HEVC (H.265), and browser support for HEVC varies by browser and device. Try opening it in Safari, or set the iPhone to record in H.264 under Settings > Camera > Formats > Most Compatible and record the clip again.
Can I convert only part of the video?
Yes. Play the preview and press Use current to set the start and end, or type the times as seconds (12.5) or minutes:seconds (1:02.5).
Why does the GIF look grainier than the MP4?
A GIF frame can contain at most 256 colors, so smooth gradients and skin tones are approximated. Keep Colors at 256 for the best quality, or use a smaller width, which hides the banding.
Can I make the GIF play faster or slower?
Yes. Use the Speed setting. At 2× the GIF lasts half as long and needs half as many frames, so it's also smaller.