How to Turn Images Into an Animated GIF (Browser Workflow)
Combine still images into one animated GIF: frame order, delay, loop, unified size from average or custom dimensions, and local processing in your browser.
In short
Use at least two frames, pick a GIF canvas size (average by default), set one delay for the whole animation, then export a single .gif file.
The reliable workflow is: add two or more images (or import frames from an existing GIF), reorder them, choose GIF dimensions (average of frames is the default), set frame delay and loop, then create one animated GIF—frames resize only when they do not already match that canvas.
One delay for the whole animation
The GIF maker applies the same millisecond delay to every frame. That matches how most quick slideshow GIFs are built and keeps the control surface simple.
For per-frame timing you need to preprocess frames elsewhere or accept a single rhythm—often fine for demos, memes, and product step sequences.
Average size vs custom pixels
Average width and height is the default because mixed phone and desktop screenshots often land near a sensible middle ground without forcing upscale on every frame.
Switch to custom when a platform requires exact pixels; use the “Use average” shortcut to seed custom fields from your current uploads.
256-color limit and photo banding
GIF stores at most 256 colors per frame. Photos with smooth skies or skin gradients may show slight banding after encoding—that is a format limit, not a bug in your source files.
Flat UI captures and high-contrast screenshots usually survive better than continuous-tone portraits at large dimensions.
Real-world examples
Worked example: UI walkthrough from four screenshots
Input: four PNG screenshots at 1440×900, same delay need for all frames.
Settings: average size with the 1280px longest-edge cap → 1280×800 canvas, letterbox fit (sources were already uniform), 600ms delay, loop forever.
Result: one ~1.2MB GIF for Slack, no server upload, sequence readable on mobile preview before download.
Why this works
- One shared canvas size keeps motion smooth across mixed photo sizes.
- Resizing only when needed avoids unnecessary quality loss on frames that already match.
- Local encoding keeps source photos on your device during the build step.
When to use this workflow
- You have a short sequence of screenshots or product photos to share as one looping file.
- You need a lightweight animation for docs, chat, or social—not a video file.
- You already edited frames elsewhere and want to assemble them into a GIF again.
Step-by-step guide
- Add at least two images, or upload an animated GIF to import its frames automatically.
- Reorder frames with the up/down controls until the sequence reads correctly.
- Set frame delay in milliseconds (same timing applies to every frame) and choose loop forever or play once.
- Pick GIF size: average of frames (default), largest, smallest, first frame, or custom width and height (max 1280px on the longest edge).
- Choose fit when resizing: letterbox keeps the full image on white; fill crops to cover the canvas.
- Review any upscaling warning, create the GIF, preview it, and download the .gif file.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using one very small frame in a set of large photos without expecting a soft upscale warning.
- Assuming each frame can have its own delay—the tool uses one delay value for the whole animation.
- Expecting video upload or MP4 export—output is animated GIF only.
- Uploading dozens of huge frames on a low-memory device without testing a smaller batch first.
Frequently asked questions
How many images are required?
At least two frames. You can add up to 60 frames in one session.
What happens when I upload an animated GIF?
The tool splits it into individual frames you can reorder, remove, or combine with new still images before exporting a new GIF.
When are frames resized?
Only when a frame’s width or height differs from the chosen GIF canvas. Matching dimensions are exported without scaling. Larger frames are downscaled; smaller ones are upscaled and flagged with a warning.
Which input formats work?
Any image format the site can decode locally (JPG, PNG, WebP, HEIC, AVIF, BMP, TIFF, PSD, and many RAW variants), using the same in-browser preparation as other tools—rare files may still fail depending on the browser.