Convert JPG to GIF, Free
Files convert instantly in your browser. 100% private, any file size, no account needed.
Drop your JPG file here
or click to browse. Any file size.
Conversion runs entirely in your browser. Your file never leaves your device.
How to convert JPG to GIF
GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) is a lossless palette-based format limited to 256 colors per frame. Converting a JPEG to a static GIF reduces the color depth from millions of colors to 256, which causes visible banding in gradients and color shifts in photographs. The practical reason to do this conversion is compatibility: some older systems, email clients, or specialized displays only accept GIF. For web use, JPEG or WebP is nearly always a better choice for photos than GIF. The conversion runs in your browser using WebAssembly.
GIF shines for short animations rather than static photos. If you are creating an animated GIF from multiple frames, GIF is still the go-to format for that use case. For a single static JPEG being converted to GIF, the file will typically be significantly larger than the original JPEG (because GIF uses lossless compression and 256 colors instead of JPEG's lossy millions-of-colors approach) while looking noticeably worse. Consider the tradeoffs before proceeding.
Upload your JPEG
Drop your .jpg or .jpeg file. The image will be quantized to 256 colors during conversion.
Choose color quantization settings
Select the dithering method (Floyd-Steinberg is a good default for photos) and the number of colors (up to 256).
Convert in-browser
The WebAssembly encoder processes the image locally. The output preview shows the 256-color result.
Download the GIF
Save the .gif file. Compare the file size against the original to confirm the conversion is worthwhile for your use case.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the GIF look worse than the JPEG?
GIF supports only 256 colors. JPEG can represent millions. The color reduction causes banding and color inaccuracy in photographs, which is why GIF is not suited to photographic content.
Will the GIF be smaller or larger than the JPEG?
For photographs, usually larger. JPEG's lossy compression is very efficient for photos. GIF is lossless within its 256-color palette, which is less efficient for photographic content.
What is dithering and why does it matter?
Dithering is a technique that distributes quantization error across neighboring pixels to simulate colors not in the palette. Floyd-Steinberg dithering produces smoother gradients than no dithering at the cost of a slightly noisier appearance.
Can I add animation to the GIF after converting?
Not directly in this tool. To create an animated GIF, use an animation tool that accepts image sequences or video input.
What is GIF good for if not photos?
Short animations, simple flat graphics with few colors, and logos on transparent backgrounds (GIF supports binary transparency, unlike JPEG). For modern web, WebP or APNG are better alternatives for animated content.