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Definition

What is GIF?

A plain-English definition, and the tools that work with it.

Definition

A GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) is an image format best known for short, silent, looping animations. It's limited to 256 colors, which keeps simple loops small but makes it a poor choice for detailed video or photographs.

  • GIFs loop automatically and play everywhere, which is why they're popular for reactions and quick demos.
  • They're inefficient for anything long or detailed, a few seconds of video as a GIF can be surprisingly large.
  • For longer or higher-quality motion, a short muted MP4/WebM is smaller and smoother than a GIF.

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