How to make a GIF from a video
DropGIF is a free online GIF maker that works on any recent phone or computer. Here's the whole process:
- Add your videoDrag a file onto Drop a video or images here, tap Pick a video or photos on a phone, or paste with Ctrl/⌘ + V. MP4, MOV, WebM and phone camera clips all work. No clip handy? Tap Try a sample clip.
- Trim to the momentDrag the yellow handles on the timeline to set the start and end. They move in 0.1 s steps, so you can cut right before the punchline.
- Set the size and motionPick a width under Size (480 px is a good default), then adjust frame rate, speed or direction under Motion. Add a Caption if the GIF needs words.
- Export and shareTap Export GIF. On the result page, use Download GIF, Copy or Share, and see how it looks in a mock Discord or iMessage chat before you send it.
Want to make a GIF from pictures instead? Drop 2 to 100 images and each becomes a frame. See the GIF maker from photos page for tips.
Why your files never leave your device
Most online GIF makers upload your video to a server, convert it there and send the result back. DropGIF does the work inside your browser tab instead. Your video is trimmed, resized and encoded on your own phone or computer, and nothing is sent anywhere.
That matters for three reasons. Private clips, like a family video or a work screen recording, stay private. There's no upload wait for big phone videos on slow connections. And once the page has loaded, it keeps working offline, so you can install it as an app and make GIFs with no signal.
Even the background remover runs locally. Its AI model downloads once, then cuts people out of your clip on your device.
GIF size limits for Discord, X and Slack
A GIF that's too big won't upload, or gets turned into a video. Under the preview, the Where it fits strip shows a check or a cross for each platform and how far over the limit you are. Tap Fit and DropGIF picks a width, frame rate and color count that gets you under it.
| Platform | Limit | Good starting point |
|---|---|---|
| SlackSlack has no GIF cap of its own. Under 5 MB loads quickly and animates smoothly for everyone. | 5 MBsuggested | 320px, 12 fps, up to 5 s |
| DiscordUpload limit without Nitro since August 2026 (it was 10 MB). Nitro Basic allows 50 MB. | 20 MB | 480px, 15 fps, up to 12 s |
| X (Twitter)GIF limit when posting on the web. The X mobile app allows 5 MB. | 15 MB | 480px, 15 fps, up to 9 s |
| X mobile appGIF limit when posting from the X app on a phone. | 5 MB | 360px, 12 fps, up to 5 s |
| Discord emojiAnimated custom emoji. Square, 128×128 works best. | 256 KB | 128px square, 15 fps, up to 2 s |
| Twitch emoteAnimated emotes (Affiliates and Partners): square, at least 112×112, up to 60 frames. | 1 MB | 112px square, 15 fps, up to 3 s |
| EmailBest practice for newsletters. Classic Outlook for Windows shows only the first frame. | 1 MBsuggested | 320px, 10 fps, up to 3 s |
| TumblrUploads up to 10 MB, but GIFs over 5 MB may show only the first frame. | 5 MB | 540px, 12 fps, up to 4 s |
| Text message (MMS)Approximate: US carriers cap picture messages around 1 MB. iMessage allows far more. | ≈1 MBsuggested | 320px, 10 fps, up to 3 s |
| Google SlidesImage insert limit (also 25 megapixels). GIFs play in slideshows. | 50 MB | 640px, 15 fps |
Limits checked October 22, 2026. See the full list of GIF size limits.
A good rule: shorter beats smaller. Cutting a 6-second clip to 3 seconds roughly halves the file and keeps the full width. The GIF size limits guide covers each platform in more detail.
Make a transparent GIF
Open Advanced and choose a Transparency mode. Keep transparency uses the clear areas in PNG or WebP files. Remove a color lets you tap a green screen or flat backdrop with the eyedropper, then adjust the tolerance. Remove background uses an on-device AI model to cut out people.
GIF transparency is 1-bit: every pixel is either fully clear or fully solid, so soft edges can't fade out. Cutouts look cleanest from flat backgrounds. The transparent GIF maker page explains how to avoid halo edges.
Start from a template
The templates turn a photo into a finished animation: a swinging heart locket, a waving flag, a cartoon explosion, or your cat getting patted in pet-pet. Each has a live preview and a Make my GIF button, and they're free with no watermark.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free GIF maker?
Look for three things: no watermark on free exports, no sign-up, and processing on your device so nothing is uploaded. DropGIF is built around all three.
Is there a free AI GIF maker?
DropGIF doesn't generate GIFs from text prompts. It uses on-device AI for one job, removing the background behind people, and nothing is uploaded. You start from your own clip, photos or a template.
How do I convert a video to a GIF?
Drop the video into DropGIF, drag the yellow trim handles to the part you want, choose a width and tap Export GIF. The video to GIF guide covers settings in detail.
How do I turn a video into a GIF on iPhone?
Open dropgif.com in Safari, tap Pick a video or photos and choose a clip from your library. Trim it, tap Export GIF, then use Share to send or save it. Videos from the iPhone camera work as they are.
Is DropGIF really free?
Yes. Free GIFs can be up to 480 px wide, 20 seconds long and 20 fps, with no watermark and no sign-up. Ads keep it free and never appear inside the editor. Pro adds larger sizes and more formats.
Do you upload my video?
No. Your video or photos are processed by your browser on your device and never sent to a server. After the first visit, DropGIF even works offline.