What a GIF can and cannot do
GIF is an image format from 1987 that can hold many frames, so it plays like a short silent video. It works almost everywhere: chat apps, forums, email, documents and websites. But it has hard limits. A GIF has no sound, each frame can use only 256 colours, and the compression is weak. A ten-second GIF can easily be larger than the original AVI. GIF is ideal for reactions, short tutorials, product details and funny moments, not for full scenes.
Settings that control the size
| Setting | Good starting value | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 320 to 480 px | The biggest effect on file size |
| Frame rate | 10 to 15 fps | Lower means fewer frames and a smaller file |
| Loop | Forever | Standard behaviour for chat and web |
Halving the width makes the GIF roughly four times smaller. Old AVI files from cameras are often 640x480, so a width of 320 or 480 keeps the image sharp while saving space. Smooth motion needs more frames, while screen recordings and slides look fine at 8 to 10 fps.
Cut the clip first
Most AVI files are much longer than a good GIF. Before you convert AVI to GIF, cut out the few seconds you need with Trim Video, then bring the short clip here. A GIF of two to six seconds usually works best. Longer animations grow quickly and some apps refuse to send large GIFs.
Notes on old AVI sources
AVI is processed by the built-in converter engine, so reading the video takes a bit longer than with MP4. Interlaced footage from old camcorders can show thin lines on movement, and those lines also appear in the GIF. Dark, noisy videos may show banding, because the noise has to be squeezed into 256 colours. A clip with good light and little camera shake makes the best GIF.
Once you have a GIF, you can add text or crop it in the GIF editor, or make it lighter with the GIF compressor.