Why convert a GIF to MP4?

Size. A GIF compresses far less efficiently than modern video, so the same clip as an H.264 MP4 is often a tenth of the size at better quality. Most social and chat platforms prefer — or quietly convert to — MP4 for exactly this reason.

Will the MP4 loop like the GIF did?

Not by itself. Looping is a behaviour of the page or app that shows the video, not the file. Most social and messaging platforms loop short clips automatically; in your own HTML you add the loop and autoplay attributes to the video tag.

Does it keep the animation smooth?

Yes. Every frame of the GIF becomes a frame of the video and keeps its own timing, including a GIF that pauses on one frame and then speeds up. The colours are the GIF's own — an MP4 cannot add detail a 256-colour GIF never had — so it looks the same, at a fraction of the size.

No. A GIF has no audio, so the MP4 is silent. There is nothing to carry over.

Is this converter free?

Yes. Every conversion on ConvertNicely is free to use, with no account and no watermark on the result. Everyone can run 50 jobs and upload 2 GB a day, with or without an account.

What happens to my files?

Your uploaded file is deleted from our servers the moment the conversion finishes, whether it succeeded or failed. The converted result is deleted automatically one hour later, and you can delete it yourself at any time with the Delete button.

Is there a file size limit?

Files up to 95 MB are accepted for this conversion. Larger limits apply to paid plans in future, but the free limit is generous enough for the overwhelming majority of MP4 conversions.

Do I need to install anything?

No. ConvertNicely runs entirely in your browser and on our servers, so there is nothing to download or install. It works the same on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS.

Does it work on a phone?

Yes. The whole site is built mobile-first, so you can upload from your camera roll or files app, convert, and download the result without leaving your browser.

Free

Convert GIF to MP4

An animated GIF is enormous next to the same clip as video — often ten times the size — because GIF barely compresses and is limited to 256 colours. This re-encodes it to an H.264 MP4, which is what chat apps and social platforms actually want: a fraction of the size, full colour, and a real video they will autoplay.

Also known as: animated GIF to MP4 · GIF to MP4 converter · GIF to MP4 video

Files up to 95 MBTypically under a minuteNeed MP4 to GIF instead?

Drop your file hereor choose a file from your deviceGIF · up to 95 MB

Encrypted upload · deleted right after conversion

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Uploads are removed as soon as processing finishes, and converted files are deleted after 1 hour. Read our privacy policy.

How to convert GIF to MP4

Step 1
1. Add your GIF file
Drag your GIF file into the box, or choose it from your device. It can be up to 95 MB.
Step 2
2. Choose your settings
Adjust Video quality (Balanced), or keep the starting values in brackets, which suit most files.
Step 3
3. Press Convert to MP4
The work happens on our servers, and you can follow its progress. Long recordings take longer.
Step 4
4. Download your MP4 file
Your upload is already deleted, and the result is deleted after one hour.

Worth knowing

An MP4 does not loop or autoplay by itself the way a GIF does — that is up to the page or app showing it, though most social and chat platforms loop short clips automatically. The video is silent, since a GIF has no audio, and transparent areas become white, since an MP4 has no transparency. Odd pixel dimensions are rounded down by one to keep H.264 happy.

Why convert GIF to MP4?

Shrinking a heavy GIF before posting it to social media
Turning a GIF into a video a platform will autoplay inline
Cutting the size of a GIF embedded in a page for faster loading
Converting a reaction GIF into a clip for a messaging app

GIF vs MP4

Comparison of GIF and MP4
Property	GIF	MP4
Format	GIF (256 colours)	MP4 (H.264, full colour)
File size	Very large	Many times smaller
Colour	256, dithered	Full colour
Best for	Universal inline display	Social, chat and the web

Frequently asked questions

Page updated 21 October 2026

All Video converters

Convert GIF to MP4

How to convert GIF to MP4

1. Add your GIF file

2. Choose your settings

3. Press Convert to MP4

4. Download your MP4 file

Why convert GIF to MP4?

GIF vs MP4

Frequently asked questions

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Convert GIF to MP4

How to convert GIF to MP4

1. Add your GIF file

2. Choose your settings

3. Press Convert to MP4

4. Download your MP4 file

Why convert GIF to MP4?

GIF vs MP4

Frequently asked questions

Why convert a GIF to MP4?

Will the MP4 loop like the GIF did?

Does it keep the animation smooth?

Is there any sound?

Is this converter free?

What happens to my files?

Is there a file size limit?

Do I need to install anything?

Does it work on a phone?

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