How to make a GIF for Discord
This Discord GIF maker checks the file size while you edit, so you don't find out it's too big after you hit send.
- Drop your clipAdd a video or photos, then drag the yellow handles to trim to the moment.
- Fit it to DiscordUnder the preview, the Where it fits strip shows whether the GIF is under Discord's limit. If it's over, tap Fit, or choose Discord under Fit to an upload limit, and DropGIF adjusts width, frame rate and colors to get under it.
- Add a captionOptional, but a short all-caps caption helps a reaction GIF stand out in a busy channel.
- Export and previewTap Export GIF. The result page shows your GIF inside a mock Discord chat, so you can see how it'll look before you post. Then tap Download GIF, or Share on your phone.
Discord's upload limit for GIFs
Free Discord accounts can upload files up to 20 MB, and a GIF counts like any other file. Nitro raises the limit (Nitro Basic allows 50 MB), but staying under 20 MB is a good habit anyway: smaller GIFs load faster for everyone in the channel, especially on mobile data.
As a starting point, try 480 px at 15 fps and keep the clip short. High-motion scenes, like a dog running or a game replay, compress worse than a talking face, so trust the live size estimate over rules of thumb. The GIF size limits guide compares Discord with X, Slack and others.
Animated emoji for Discord
Custom emoji have much tighter rules than uploads. Discord requires emoji files to be under 256 KB and recommends 128×128 pixels. That's tiny for an animation, so a Discord emoji GIF needs a different approach:
- Crop to 1:1. Emoji are square, so pick 1:1 under Crop.
- Keep it to a second or two. A short loop on Boomerang looks smooth without many frames.
- Cut frames and colors. Choose the smallest Size, lower the frame rate to around 10 fps, and set Colors to 64 or fewer under Advanced.
- Remove the background. A transparent emoji sits cleanly in light and dark themes. See the transparent GIF maker for how.
The pet-pet template has a 112 px emoji size built for exactly this: drop in your avatar or a photo of your cat and get a pat-pat emoji.
Discord banners and the chat preview
For a server or profile, the Discord banner template makes an animated banner with your name, a tagline and an optional avatar on moving waves. It comes in Server banner (960×540) and Profile banner (680×240) sizes. Animated server banners need a Level 3 boosted server, and profile banners are a Nitro feature, so check your perks before you make one.
Whatever you make, the mock Discord chat on the result page shows it in place between messages, so you can check that the caption is readable and the loop looks right before anyone else sees it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the GIF size limit on Discord?
Free Discord accounts can upload files up to 20 MB, including GIFs, and Nitro raises the limit. DropGIF shows whether your GIF fits and can shrink it with one tap.
How do I make a Discord emoji GIF?
Crop your clip to 1:1, keep it to a second or two, and lower the frame rate and colors before you export. Discord custom emoji must be under 256 KB, and 128×128 is the recommended size.
How do I make a GIF smaller for Discord?
Tap Fit next to Discord in the Where it fits strip. To do it by hand, trim the clip, lower the frame rate, then reduce the width.
Can I make an animated Discord banner?
Yes. The Discord banner template makes animated banners at 960×540 for servers and 680×240 for profiles. Animated server banners need a Level 3 boosted server, and profile banners need Nitro.
Is the Discord GIF maker free?
Yes, with no watermark and no sign-up. GIFs are made on your device, and you post them to Discord yourself.