GIF guides

Practical answers about GIF size limits and compression.

• How to make a GIF smaller without losing qualityFive ways to reduce GIF file size — lossless optimization, lossy compression, fewer colors, smaller dimensions and fewer frames — and when to use each.
• Discord GIF size limits for emoji and uploadsDiscord GIF limits explained — 256 KB for emoji (shown at 128 px) and 10 MB for free uploads — plus how to get any GIF under them without Nitro.
• How to make a Slack emoji GIF under 128 KBSlack custom emoji must be under 128 KB and look best at 128×128 px. Here is how to resize and compress an animated GIF so Slack accepts it.
• Lossy vs lossless GIF compressionWhat lossless and lossy GIF compression actually do, how much each saves, how they affect quality, and how to pick the right setting for your GIF.
• Why are GIF files so big?GIF files are large because of a 1987 format design — 256 colors, simple LZW compression and no motion prediction. Here is what makes them big and what helps.