Convert PNG to GIF, Free
Files convert instantly in your browser. 100% private, any file size, no account needed.
Drop your PNG file here
or click to browse. Any file size.
Conversion runs entirely in your browser. Your file never leaves your device.
How to convert PNG to GIF
PNG and GIF are both lossless formats, but they serve different purposes. GIF supports animation (a sequence of frames), is limited to 256 colors per frame, and uses LZW compression. PNG supports millions of colors and alpha transparency but is static. Converting a static PNG to GIF is unusual unless you need the GIF's specific 256-color palette behavior or are inserting the image into a workflow that accepts only GIF. Converting a sequence of PNGs to an animated GIF is the more common use case.
This converter processes the PNG in your browser using WebAssembly. The image's color space is reduced to 256 colors using an ordered dither algorithm, then saved as a GIF. Your image never leaves your device. Expect that images with complex gradients, semi-transparent elements, or more than 256 distinct colors will show visible color banding in the GIF output.
Upload the PNG
Drop your .png file onto the converter. Static PNGs convert to single-frame GIFs. If you want an animated GIF, you need a converter that accepts multiple PNG frames.
Review color limitations
GIF supports only 256 colors. The converter uses a color quantization algorithm to select the best 256 colors from the PNG's full palette. Areas with smooth gradients will show visible color steps.
Choose dither method
Dithering mixes dots of different colors to simulate additional shades. Floyd-Steinberg dithering reduces banding in smooth areas at the cost of a speckled appearance. No dither gives harder color boundaries but a cleaner result for flat-color images.
Download the GIF
Save the file. GIF files are often smaller than PNG for images with very few colors (like icons) but larger for photographs.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the GIF look worse than the PNG?
GIF is limited to 256 colors per frame, while PNG supports about 16 million colors plus 256 levels of transparency. Any PNG with gradients, photographic content, or more than 256 distinct colors will lose fidelity in the conversion.
Does GIF support transparency?
GIF supports one-bit transparency: a single color in the 256-color palette can be designated as transparent. Unlike PNG's full alpha channel, GIF pixels are either fully transparent or fully opaque with no semi-transparency.
Is my image uploaded to a server?
No. The conversion runs entirely in your browser using WebAssembly. Nothing is uploaded.
When is GIF actually a better choice than PNG today?
For animation. Animated GIF is still widely supported across email clients, chat platforms, and social networks that may not support WebP animation or MP4. For static images, PNG is almost always the better format.
Can I convert multiple PNGs into an animated GIF?
This page converts single PNG files. For creating animated GIFs from a PNG sequence, look for a dedicated animated GIF maker that accepts an image sequence as input.