Turning a handful of pictures into a looping GIF takes a couple of minutes.
Making it look smooth, load fast and loop cleanly takes a few decisions.
This guide walks through each one, using the free GIF Maker.
1. Decide what kind of GIF you're making
- Slideshow: a few separate pictures, each shown for a second or two. Product shots, event photos, a recipe.
- Before and after: two images that alternate. Edits, renovations, redesigns.
- Stop-motion or animation: many images with small changes between them, played quickly to create motion.
The type decides your timing, and timing decides how many frames you need.
2. Prepare your images
Put the images in a single folder and name them in order, such as 01.jpg, 02.jpg. Most file pickers then select them in the right sequence, which saves reordering later.
Try to use images with the same shape. Mixed portrait and landscape photos either get bars around them or get cropped, depending on the fit setting.
For animation, keep the camera still between frames. A tripod or a phone propped against something makes the difference between smooth and shaky.
3. Upload and order the frames
Drop all images onto the GIF Maker at once. Thumbnails appear in the order they were selected.
Drag thumbnails to rearrange them, or use the arrows under each one. The preview above the list plays the sequence live, so you can check the order before creating anything.
GIF MakerUpload 2-60 images, reorder, preview and create a GIF.4. Set the timing
| Type | Time per frame | Frames per second |
|---|---|---|
| Slideshow | 1000-2000 ms | 0.5-1 |
| Before and after | 800-1200 ms | ~1 |
| Stop-motion | 80-150 ms | 7-12 |
| Smooth animation | 40-60 ms | 17-25 |
Don't go below 20 ms. Browsers slow shorter delays down dramatically, as explained in GIF Frame Delay Explained: Fix GIFs That Play Too Fast or Too Slow.
5. Choose the size and shape
Width drives file size more than anything else. 480 pixels is a good default for chat and social posts, 320 for stickers and small embeds, and 640-800 for full-width use on a website.
Pick a shape too. "Like first image" keeps your photos' proportions. Square suits profile pictures and feeds, and 9:16 suits phone stories.
Then choose how images fit: Fit shows each image whole with a background color around it, while Fill crops each image to cover the frame.
6. Loop and colors
Most GIFs should loop forever. Choose "Play once" for animations that end on a meaningful final frame, such as a logo reveal.
Keep 256 colors for photos. For drawings, screenshots and flat graphics, 128 or 64 colors make the file noticeably smaller with no visible change.
7. Create, then polish
Click Create GIF, check the result, and use the buttons under it to keep editing without re-uploading:
- Add Text to GIF for captions or meme text;
- GIF Speed Changer to fine-tune the speed or loop count;
- Compress GIF to make it lighter before sharing.
Need to take an existing GIF apart and rebuild it? Split GIF exports every frame as an image you can edit and upload again.
Frequently asked questions
How many images should a GIF have?
A slideshow needs only as many images as you want to show, often 3-8. Smooth animation needs more: about 8-12 frames per second of motion. The GIF Maker accepts up to 60 images.
Can I make a GIF from photos on my phone?
Yes. Open the GIF Maker in your phone's browser, choose the photos from your gallery, set the timing and create the GIF. Nothing needs to be installed.
Why does my GIF look grainy?
GIF can show only 256 colors per frame, so photos are approximated with dithering. Use 256 colors for photos, keep the size moderate, and accept a little grain, or consider a video format for photographic content.