GIF to MP4

Upload a GIF file and download it as MP4. Free to start.

Drop files here, or press Enter to choose them. Up to 50 MB per file.
Drop a GIF file hereFree · up to 50 MB · 10 operations in total without an account · or paste with Ctrl+V
  • Sent over HTTPS · link expires in 24 h

What changes

GIF and MP4 side by side: quality, size and where each one opens.

GIF vs MP4

GIF vs MP4
PropertyGIFMP4
QualityFairExcellent
File sizeMediumMedium
Advantages
  • Animation
  • Good compression
  • HD and 4K video
Disadvantages
  • Only 256 colours
  • Heavier than video for long clips
  • Lossy compression
  • HD files get large

MP4 keeps more detail than GIF. MP4 opens on every major platform. Convert GIF files when the app, site or workflow you use needs MP4.

How it works

  1. Step 1:

    Drop the GIF file on the orange block above, or press “Choose GIF”.

  2. Step 2:

    Press “Convert to MP4”. The block shows the progress while the server converts the file.

  3. Step 3:

    Press “Download” to save the MP4 file. On Free the link works for 24 hours.

How GIF to MP4 conversion works

Converting GIF to MP4 re-encodes an animated GIF as an H.264 video, reducing file size by 60-95% while preserving motion and colour with far greater fidelity than the 256-colour GIF palette allows. GIF stores frame-based animation using indexed colour with a maximum of 256 colours per frame and LZW lossless compression; MP4 stores video as H.264 inter-frame compressed data with full 24-bit colour. The conversion maps each GIF frame to a video frame at the source frame timing, expands the 256-colour palette to full RGB, and encodes the sequence using H.264 at a CRF that preserves visual quality. The output loops continuously (by setting the loop flag in the MP4 container) to replicate the GIF behaviour. Audio is not present in the source and no audio track is added. 1converter uses FFmpeg for this conversion, which correctly handles variable-frame-timing GIFs and palette-per-frame GIFs.

Sources and specifications

Quality levels for GIF → MP4

LevelFile sizeSpeed
Low qualitySmallest file, basic qualityVery smallVery fast
Medium qualityRecommendedBalanced size and qualityMediumFast
High qualityLarger file, great qualityLargeModerate
Maximum qualityLargest file, best possible qualityVery largeSlow

Video Tip: Medium quality is ideal for web streaming. Use High or Maximum for videos you plan to edit further or archive.

When to convert

What the MP4 file is good for and why people convert to it.

  • Smaller files for animationsVideo codecs store only what changes between frames
  • Better qualitySupport for millions of colors
  • Sharing memes and reactions efficiently
  • Posting animations on social media

Where your file goes

  • It travels to our server over an encrypted HTTPS connection and is converted there.
  • The MP4 file comes back as a private link. It stops working after 24 hours on Free and 7 days on paid plans, and then the files are deleted.

Questions and answers

What people ask before converting GIF to MP4.

Why convert GIF to MP4?
GIF stores every frame as a separate 256-colour image. MP4 stores only what changes between frames and keeps full colour, so the same animation usually takes far less space and looks smoother.
Will the animation loop?
MP4 itself doesn't loop, but all video players have loop options. Some platforms auto-loop short videos.
Can I add audio to the GIF during conversion?
Currently, we convert the visual content only. Audio can be added in video editing software after conversion.

More about this pair

Many files at once? Starter converts 5 at a time, 100 a day.

See plans