Convert a video to GIF
The free Vivlab video to GIF converter turns a video clip into an animated GIF, entirely in your browser. Your file never leaves your computer.
Pick the clip, the frame rate and the size, then download your GIF.
How it works
Turn a video into a GIF in 3 steps
Load the video
Drag an MP4, WebM or MOV file, or click to choose one; the player helps you find the moment to extract.
Frame the clip
Set the start point, the length, the frames per second and the width; the GIF's frame count updates live.
Generate the GIF
Start the conversion, watch the progress bar, then download the animation.gif file.
What is an animated GIF for?
Light and readable anywhere, a GIF plays on its own with no video player. It's the perfect format for showing a gesture, an effect or a reaction in a few seconds, without asking the visitor to hit « play ».
Demos & tutorials
A product demo, an interface tip or a setup step comes across far better as a GIF than a still screenshot. The automatic loop catches the eye and replays the action over and over.
Social media
GIFs play right in the feed, with no sound, and grab attention in seconds. Great for an announcement, a reaction or a punchy before/after.
Most email clients show GIFs right inside the message, where video is often blocked. A light GIF brings your email to life without slowing it down.
Size vs. smoothness
The longer the duration, the wider the image and the higher the frames per second, the smoother the GIF gets… but also the heavier. The whole point is finding the right trade-off for the job.
The conversion happens entirely in your browser: your video is never sent to a server, so your content stays private. Tip: for a truly light GIF, pick a short clip and reduce the width. A few seconds is almost always enough to get the point across.
Frequently asked questions
Getting your GIF right
Why is my GIF so heavy?
GIF is capped at 256 colours and has no real video compression: every frame is stored on its own. Cut the length, width or frames per second to lighten it, since a few seconds quickly go past several megabytes.
What are the length and size limits?
You can extract up to 20 seconds, between 2 and 24 frames per second, at a width from 120 to 640 pixels. For a chat app or an email, a 2 to 4 second clip at 480 px stays comfortable.
How many frames per second do I need?
Around 10 to 15 frames per second keeps an interface demo smooth. 24 looks softer but bloats the file, while 8 to 10 are enough for a simple loop.
GIF or video, which one?
A GIF plays and loops on its own everywhere, including in an email or on Slack, but without sound. For a long or high-definition clip, keep an MP4 instead, far lighter at the same quality.
Is my video uploaded?
No. The video is decoded and turned into a GIF right in your browser, and it never leaves your device. Nothing is sent to a server during the conversion.
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