GIF converter and compression
JPG, PNG and WebP are turned into GIF. The finished GIF can be compressed by reducing the number of colors. The pixel size does not change. Everything happens in the browser, files are not uploaded anywhere.
The fewer the colors, the smaller the file. GIF stores no more than 256 colors, and transparency is only full: edges have no smooth transition. Smoothing removes banding on gradients, but slightly increases the size.
GIF, or Graphics Interchange Format, was developed by CompuServe in 1987. The format was created for transmitting images over slow communication lines and remains the most recognizable way of showing short animations online.
A GIF image uses an indexed palette that can hold no more than 256 colors. The data is compressed losslessly by the LZW algorithm, but the palette itself already limits quality. For this reason photographs in GIF show visible transitions between shades.
Transparency in GIF is only full: each pixel is either visible or invisible. The format does not support smooth semi-transparent edges, so thin outlines may show jagged steps. This should be kept in mind when converting logos and images with a soft shadow.
The GIF converter helps to get a small file from a JPG, PNG or WebP. The size depends on the number of colors: the fewer there are, the lighter the result. For simple drawings 16 or 32 colors are enough, while for complex images it is better to keep a higher value.
The additional smoothing option uses error diffusion, which spreads color deviations among neighboring pixels. Thanks to this, smooth gradients look free of harsh banding, although the file size grows slightly. For flat drawings smoothing is usually not needed.
If the source GIF contains animation, only the first frame is processed on this page. All operations are performed in the browser without sending data to a server. Finished files can be downloaded one by one or all at once.