Convert PNG to GIF Online
Free, private PNG to GIF converter. Your files never leave your browser. All processing happens locally on your device.
Drag & drop files here
images, PDFs, documents, audio, video, and more
No Server Uploads
FormatShift converts files directly in your browser. Your files never leave your device, so there's nothing to intercept or leak.
Instant Export
Files convert on your machine, so downloads are ready right away, even on slow connections.
High Fidelity
Good encoding keeps your files looking and sounding right, even at smaller sizes.
Built for Privacy
Your files are processed entirely in your browser. They never leave your device.
How to convert PNG to GIF
Drop your PNG file
Drag your file onto the converter above, or click to browse your files. Your files stay on your device.
Automatic conversion
FormatShift converts your file right in your browser using WebAssembly. No server involved, so your data stays completely private.
Download your GIF file
Once the conversion finishes, click the download button and you are done. The converted file is ready to use.
Why convert PNG to GIF?
PNG and GIF serve different purposes. Converting between them lets you use whichever format works best for your situation.
What is a PNG file?
Portable Network Graphics: PNG is a lossless image format that supports transparency. It was created as a patent-free replacement for GIF back in the mid-1990s and quickly became the standard for web graphics that need clean edges or see-through backgrounds.
Created by: PNG Development Group, first released in 1996
Used for: Web graphics, logos, screenshots, icons, anything that needs transparency or sharp text
Technical details: Lossless compression, so the image looks identical to the original. Supports 8-bit and 24-bit color with an alpha channel for transparency. File sizes tend to be larger than JPEG for photos but smaller for graphics with flat colors.
Compatibility: Every browser, operating system, and image editor supports PNG. It is one of the most universally readable formats.
What is a GIF file?
Graphics Interchange Format: GIF is best known for short animations and memes. The format has been around since 1987 and is limited to 256 colors, which makes it a poor choice for photographs but fine for simple graphics and loops.
Created by: CompuServe, first released in 1987
Used for: Short animations, memes, simple graphics, reaction images
Technical details: Lossless compression but limited to a 256-color palette. Supports simple frame-based animation and single-color transparency.
Compatibility: Supported everywhere. Every browser, messaging app, and social platform handles GIF.
PNG vs GIF
| Feature | PNG | GIF |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Portable Network Graphics | Graphics Interchange Format |
| Best for | Web graphics, logos, screenshots, icons, anything that needs transparency or sharp text | Short animations, memes, simple graphics, reaction images |
| Compatibility | Every browser, operating system, and image editor supports PNG. It is one of the most universally readable formats. | Supported everywhere. Every browser, messaging app, and social platform handles GIF. |
| Pros | Lossless quality, transparency support, universal compatibility | Animation support, universal compatibility, small file size for simple graphics |
| Cons | Larger file sizes than JPEG for photographs, no animation support (use APNG or GIF for that) | 256-color limit makes photos look bad, no partial transparency, animation files can get large |