Convert MP4 to GIF Online
Turn MP4 files into GIF directly in your browser using ConverterUp. There is no upload, no waiting in a queue, and no account required — your files stay on your device while WebAssembly does the work locally. Adjust quality and dimensions where supported, then download the result. The output keeps the visual fidelity you'd expect from a desktop app while running entirely in the browser tab.
Convert MP4 to GIF nowHow to convert MP4 to GIF
Open the converter
Click the button to open the MP4 to GIF tool. It loads instantly — no install, no signup.
Drop your MP4 file
Drag your MP4 file into the upload area or click to browse. The file stays in your browser memory only.
Download GIF
The conversion runs locally and finishes in seconds. Click download to save the GIF file to your device.
MP4 vs GIF at a glance
Key technical differences between the two formats, so you know what to expect before converting.
| Feature | MP4 | GIF |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Video container | Raster image |
| Compression | Lossy | Lossless |
| Transparency | — | On/off (1-bit) |
| Animation | — | Yes |
| Colors | — | Up to 256 |
| Bit depth | — | 8 bit (palette) |
| Audio track | Yes | No |
| Common codecs | H.264, H.265, AV1, AAC | — |
| Browser support | All browsers | All browsers |
| Extensions | .mp4 | .gif |
| MIME type | video/mp4 | image/gif |
| Introduced | 2003 · MPEG (ISO/IEC 14496-14) | 1987 · CompuServe |
What changes when you convert MP4 to GIF
- GIF stores every frame as a separate paletted image, so a GIF is usually many times larger than the MP4 clip it came from. Keep clips short and reduce width and frame rate.
- GIF has no audio track, so any sound in the MP4 file is removed.
- GIF is limited to 256 colors per frame. Photos and gradients will be reduced to a palette, which can cause banding or dithering.
About MP4
MP4 (MPEG-4 Part 14) is the most widely supported video container. It typically holds H.264 or H.265 video with AAC audio and plays on virtually every phone, browser, TV and editor.
- Best for
- Sharing videos, uploading to social networks and YouTube, and playback on any device.
- Strengths
- Universal playback, good compression, streaming-friendly.
- Limitations
- Lossy codecs, so repeated re-encoding gradually reduces quality.
About GIF
GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) dates from 1987 and is best known for short looping animations. Each frame uses a palette of at most 256 colors, with simple on/off transparency.
- Best for
- Reaction animations, simple loops, tiny icons and anywhere animation must work without video support.
- Strengths
- Animation that works everywhere, including email clients and chat apps.
- Limitations
- 256-color limit, no audio and very large files compared with MP4 or WebP for the same animation.
Frequently asked questions
Is the MP4 to GIF conversion really free?
Yes. ConverterUp is fully free, with no signup, no watermarks, and no daily quota for the MP4 to GIF converter. We support the project through unobtrusive ads.
Are my MP4 files uploaded to a server?
No. Conversion runs in your browser using WebAssembly. The MP4 bytes never leave your device, and we have no upload endpoint at all.
What is the maximum file size?
For MP4 input, the soft cap is 50 MB for images and 500 MB for video. Practical performance depends on your device's RAM.
Will the GIF file open everywhere?
Yes. GIF is supported by every modern browser, operating system and most apps, so it is the safe choice for sharing.
Does converting MP4 to GIF keep the sound?
No. GIF has no audio support, so the sound is removed. Convert to MP4 or WebM if you need to keep the audio.
Related guide
How to Convert MP4 to GIF Free OnlineRelated conversions
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