Speeding up a landing page
Swapping a heavy GIF for a short silent MP4 is one of the easiest ways to cut page weight.
GIF to MP4 Converter
Turn a heavy GIF into a compact MP4 that loads faster and plays smoother. Trim it, resize it and check the file size before you convert.
- GIF for a web page
- Heavy GIF that is slowing a page
- Sharing to an app that takes video
Why convert a GIF to MP4
A GIF stores almost every frame as a picture, limited to 256 colours. An MP4 stores only what changes from frame to frame, with far better colour. The same moving image is often many times smaller as an MP4, which is why most big sites quietly serve their "GIFs" as short videos.
That makes MP4 the better choice for web pages, landing pages and apps where you control the page and can play a video silently on repeat. It is not the right choice for places that only accept GIFs, such as some email clients and a few chat tools.
Two things to know before you convert. MP4 has no built-in loop setting, so the clip plays once unless the player or the page repeats it (a video tag with the loop attribute does exactly that). And GIFs have no sound, so the MP4 will be silent as well.
- 1
Add the GIF
Drop the file in or paste it. The tool reads the GIF's size and length straight from the file.
- 2
Trim if you want
Cut the loop down to the part you need. Shorter clips are smaller and load faster.
- 3
Check the MP4 settings
The format is already set to MP4. Keep the width close to the GIF's own width, since enlarging a small GIF doesn't add detail.
- 4
Convert and download
Compare the estimate with your original GIF's size, then download the MP4.
Settings that work for common jobs
Treat these as a first try, not a rule. The size estimate tells you quickly whether to nudge them up or down.
| If you're making | Try | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| GIF for a web page | MP4 · same width as the GIF · Balanced quality | Small and sharp, and you can loop it with a video tag. |
| Heavy GIF that is slowing a page | MP4 · 480px · Smallest quality | Cuts load time the most. |
| Sharing to an app that takes video | MP4 · 720px · Best quality | Keeps detail for a feed or message. |
| Needs to loop in a post | WebP · same width | WebP loops by itself, unlike MP4. |
Where this comes in handy
Posting where GIFs are converted anyway
Some platforms turn GIFs into video behind the scenes. Uploading the MP4 yourself keeps the quality in your hands.
Editing a GIF in video software
Most editors prefer a video file. Convert once, then trim, caption or combine it there.
Common mistakes, and what to do instead
- Making it much wider than the originalA GIF has no extra detail to show. Match its width, or the MP4 just gets bigger and blurrier.
- Expecting it to loop on its ownMP4 has no loop flag. Use a video tag with the loop attribute, or choose WebP.
- Deleting the original GIFKeep it. Some places only accept GIFs and you may need it again.
Common problems and quick fixes
The MP4 doesn't loop
MP4 files have no loop flag. Use the loop option in your player, a video tag with the loop attribute, or export WebP, which does loop.
The video looks blurry
You probably enlarged a small GIF. Set the width to match the original, and use Best quality.
My GIF was rejected as too long
Results can be up to 60 seconds. Trim the clip or speed it up and try again.
I need it to work in an email
Most email clients don't play MP4. Keep it as a GIF and use the compress tool to make it lighter.
What it looks like
These are real screenshots from this site, taken with a demo clip. Your own file will give different sizes, but the controls are exactly these.
Which format to choose
You are leaving GIF behind, so here is how the modern options compare for a clip that started as a GIF.
| Format | For this clip | Typical size | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| MP4Suggested | The smallest and smoothest result, widely supported for video. Add a loop in the player. | About 15× smaller | Up to 1080px and 30fps, no loop flag |
| GIF | Re-exporting as GIF only makes sense to trim or resize. It will not get smaller by itself. | Largest | 256 colours, up to 720px and 20fps |
| WebP | Loops on its own and is also much smaller than a GIF. Choose it where MP4 would not repeat. | About 5× smaller | Full colour, animated, loops |
| APNG | Lossless and large. Rarely a good home for an old GIF. | Larger than GIF | Lossless, full colour, loops |
GIF to MP4 questions
Can’t find yours? The converter explains problems in plain language as they come up.
Is an MP4 really smaller than the GIF?
Almost always, often by a large margin, because MP4 uses modern video compression. The estimate shows what to expect for your clip.
Will the MP4 loop like the GIF?
Not on its own. A player or a web page has to repeat it, for example a video tag with the loop attribute. If you need a self-looping file, choose WebP.
Does the quality drop?
It usually improves, because MP4 supports full colour. The result can't recover detail the GIF never had, though.
Is there sound?
No. GIFs carry no audio, so the MP4 is silent.
Can I convert a very large GIF?
Uploads can be up to 100 MB. If your GIF is bigger, trim it or lower its dimensions first.
Other conversions
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