How to make a GIF from a video

Step by step

1. Open VidFinch Video to GIF in any browser.
2. Tap Choose a video and pick the file (MP4, MOV or WEBM), or drop it on the box.
3. Watch the preview and type the start and end of the part you want, in seconds (up to 20 seconds).
4. Pick a width (480 px suits most chats and forums) and a frame rate (12 fps is smooth at a reasonable size).
5. Tap Make GIF, check the preview, then tap Download GIF.

Which settings to choose

How to keep the GIF small

A GIF stores every frame as a full picture with at most 256 colours, so the file grows quickly with the width, the frame rate and the length.

• Cut the clip to the moment that matters: half the length is about half the size.
• Go from 640 to 480 px wide: the file gets roughly half as big.
• Use 8 or 12 fps instead of 20.
• Clips with a still background stay smaller than shaky handheld video.

On iPhone, Android and computers

On iPhone and iPad, use Safari and pick the video from your Photo Library when asked. The GIF is saved in Files → Downloads; open it and tap Share → Save Image to add it to Photos, where it plays in the Animated album.

On Android, use Chrome. The GIF goes to the Downloads folder and shows up in Google Photos or the Gallery.

On Windows and Mac, any modern browser works, and the GIF lands in your Downloads folder.

GIF or MP4?

A GIF plays everywhere and loops by itself, but it has no sound and is much heavier than a video. If the app you post to accepts video (WhatsApp, X, Instagram), a short MP4 usually looks better at a fraction of the size. Choose GIF when the place expects a .gif file: forums, Slack, Discord, emails and slides.