GIFs are short, animated images that loop endlessly. They are popular on social media, in chats, and as light animations on websites. You make them from multiple images that play one after another.
What are GIFs used for?
- Stop-motion animations from photos
- Short instructions or demonstrations (step 1, step 2, step 3)
- Atmosphere impressions of an event or trip
- Product showcases (e.g. an item from multiple angles)
- Funny reactions or meme animations
Step by step: make a GIF
1. Go to the GIF maker tool.
2. Drag 2 or more images here in the order you want them to play.
3. Set the speed: how long each frame is visible (in milliseconds). 300ms per frame is a calm pace; 100ms is fast.
4. Choose the size (width in pixels). Smaller means a smaller GIF file.
5. Click Download.
How large can the GIF file be?
Social media platforms have limits:
| Platform | Max. GIF size |
|---|
|---|---|
| 16 MB | |
|---|---|
| Twitter/X | 15 MB |
| Instagram (Stories) | 15 MB |
| 8 MB | |
| 3 MB (upload), larger via link |
Keep your GIF under 3 MB if you want to share it widely. Use fewer frames or a smaller size to reduce the file size.
Tips for a great GIF
- Use images of the same size. If they differ, they are automatically cropped or stretched.
- Ensure a logical transition between frames. A subtle movement works better than a sudden jump.
- Use a maximum of 10-15 frames for a smooth animation. More frames = bigger file.
- For a stop-motion effect you need at least 12 frames per second (120ms per frame).
Frequently asked questions
Can I also convert a video to GIF?
Not with the PixRust GIF maker. For that you need a video-to-GIF converter.
Why is my GIF so large?
GIF uses an outdated compression format (LZW) that is not efficient for photos. Consider animated WebP as an alternative for websites; it is significantly smaller.
Can I play the GIF as a video?
Social media platforms often automatically convert GIFs to silent video (MP4) for better compression. Your GIF is then simply played as a small video.