How to convert WebM to GIF
WebM is the open video format made for the web, and any browser that plays it can open it here directly. To convert WebM to GIF:
- Add the WebMDrag it anywhere onto the page, tap Choose files, or paste it with Ctrl/⌘+V.
- Trim the part you wantDrag the yellow handles on the Trim timeline. Free GIFs can run up to 20 seconds, and most loops work best at two to six.
- Set size and frame ratePick a width under Size (up to 480 px free) and a frame rate under Motion. 15 fps is the default and suits most clips.
- Check the backgroundIf the WebM has a transparent background and your browser can read it, Transparency under Advanced is already set to Keep. On a phone, Advanced is under More.
- Export GIFTap Export GIF. Save it with Download GIF, or with Share or save GIF on a phone.
Where WebM files come from, and why convert them
WebM was introduced in 2010 as a royalty-free format, and the video inside is VP8, VP9 or AV1. You'll usually meet it as the output of a browser-based screen recorder, or as an export from an animation or video tool.
The catch is where a WebM can go. A GIF counts as an image, so it plays and loops on its own, with no play button. To place an animation in Google Slides as an image, it has to be a PNG, JPEG or GIF, and animation in email still means a GIF (though classic Outlook for Windows shows only the first frame). Older iPhones and iPads are another reason: they could only play WebM files from iOS 17.4 on. Converting also lets you crop, caption and loop the clip, and keep exactly the seconds you want.
WebM with a transparent background
WebM can carry an alpha channel, which is how animated stickers, overlays and logos keep a see-through background. Chrome has played transparent WebM since version 31. When DropGIF detects the transparency, it sets Keep under Advanced, Transparency, so the clear areas stay clear in the GIF. As of October 2026, Safari plays WebM but not its transparency, so open transparent clips in Chrome.
GIF transparency is all or nothing. Each pixel is fully clear or fully solid, so soft glows and shadows get a hard, jagged rim. Leave them off the overlay, or render the WebM over a backdrop close to where the GIF will be posted. The transparent GIF maker explains halos in detail.
No alpha channel, just a green screen or a flat backdrop? Choose Remove color, tap Pick from preview and click the backdrop, then raise the Tolerance until it disappears.
Settings for WebM recordings and animations
| Clip | Width | Frame rate | Advanced |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen recording or app demo | 480 px | 10–12 fps | Dithering None for crisp text |
| Flat animation or logo | 320–480 px | 15 fps | Colors 64–128, Dithering None or Pattern |
| Camera footage | 480 px | 15–20 fps | Colors 256, Dithering Smooth |
| Sticker or emote | 1:1 crop | 15 fps | Tap Fit next to Emoji in Where it fits |
Expect the GIF to be much larger than the WebM, because WebM's video codecs are far more efficient. In Google's web.dev example, a 3.7 MB GIF was just 341 KB as a WebM. If yours comes out too big, tap a button under Fit to an upload limit (Slack 5 MB, Discord 20 MB, X 15 MB) and DropGIF trades width, frame rate and colors to get under it. The Discord GIF maker has more on emoji sizes.
When to keep it as a video
If the clip is going to Instagram, TikTok or WhatsApp, a GIF is the wrong format, because those apps play videos, not GIFs. You can still trim and caption it here, then tap Make an MP4 on the result screen. GIF to MP4 explains the options, and MP4 to GIF and MOV to GIF cover other video files. For any other format, use the video to GIF converter.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert WebM to GIF for free?
Drop the WebM into DropGIF, trim it with the yellow handles and tap Export GIF. It's free up to 480 px wide and 20 seconds, with no watermark or sign-up.
Can I convert WebM to GIF on an iPhone?
Yes. Safari plays WebM on iOS 17.4 and later, so the file opens directly. On older versions, DropGIF tries to convert it on your device first, which can be slow on a phone.
Does WebM to GIF keep transparency?
Yes, in browsers that read WebM transparency, such as Chrome. GIF transparency is 1-bit, so soft edges turn hard. Safari plays WebM but doesn't show its transparency.
Why is my GIF so much bigger than the WebM?
WebM uses modern video compression and GIF doesn't. Trim the clip, lower the frame rate or width, or tap a Fit button to bring the GIF under a platform's limit.
Can I convert a WebM from a link?
No. DropGIF doesn't download from links. Save your own copy of the file to your device first, and only use clips you have the rights to.
Will the GIF have sound?
No. GIFs can't hold audio, so the WebM's Opus or Vorbis soundtrack is left out.