How to Make a GIF from Images (Free)

What you need to make a GIF

A GIF is built from a sequence of still frames played in order. To make one you need two or more images — JPG, PNG, WebP, or HEIC all work. For the smoothest result the frames should share the same dimensions, so the animation does not jump in size between frames.

GIFs are ideal for short, simple animations: product demos, step-by-step visual guides, reaction clips, and simple UI motion. For longer or full-color footage, a video file is a better choice — see when to use GIF instead of video.

How to make a GIF with PhotoTools

1. Open the GIF Maker and drop in your image frames. 2. Arrange the frames into the order you want them to play using the move controls. 3. Set the frame delay — the time each frame is shown. 4. Choose the output width and whether the GIF loops continuously. 5. Click to generate, then download the animated GIF.

Processing happens entirely in your browser, so your images are never uploaded to a server and the output has no watermark.

Choosing frame delay and frame rate

Frame delay controls speed. A delay of around 100 ms per frame is roughly 10 frames per second, which suits most simple animations; 200 ms (about 5 fps) gives a slower, slideshow-like feel. Shorter delays play faster but need more frames to look smooth.

You rarely need a high frame rate for a GIF. Most animations look fine at 10–15 fps, and lower frame rates keep the file size down.

Keep the file size down

GIF files grow quickly because the format is inefficient and stores a palette per image. To keep a GIF small:

• Keep the animation under about 3 seconds. • Reduce the output width to the size it will actually display. • Use fewer frames and a lower frame rate. • Favor simple, flat-color content over busy photographic frames, which band badly in GIF's 256-color palette.

GIF vs modern formats

Animated WebP is roughly 30–60% smaller than GIF at similar quality, so for web pages where you control the markup it is the better choice. The reason GIF survives is support: email clients, chat apps, and social platforms still rely on it, while animated WebP is not accepted everywhere.

If your animation will live on your own web page, consider WebP; if it needs to play in email, messaging, or a social feed, GIF remains the safe, universal option.

Frequently asked questions