Compress GIF to 256 KB

Compress a GIF to 256 KB or any size you enter.

Your files are processed on your device and are never uploaded.

This tool compresses a GIF to 256 KB, or to any size you type in. Instead of picking a compression level and hoping, you set the maximum size and the tool works out the rest. It gives you the best-looking GIF that fits, so it never compresses more than it needs to.

Compress GIF to 256 KB with ShrinkBee

How to Compress a GIF to 256 KB

  1. Choose your GIF, or drag and drop it into the box above.
  2. Check the target size. It starts at 256 KB. Click another size, such as 512 KB or 1 MB, or type your own in KB or MB.
  3. Click Compress GIF and wait a moment while the tool tries different settings.
  4. Download the GIF. If your GIF was already under the size, you get it back unchanged.

How the Tool Reaches Your Size

The tool tries settings one step at a time, starting with the ones you notice least:

  1. Fewer colours and lossy compression. These cost little visible quality, so they come first.
  2. A smaller picture. If that is not enough, the GIF is scaled down step by step.
  3. Fewer frames. As a last step, every 2nd, 3rd or 4th frame is removed. The total playing time stays the same.

As soon as a version fits, the tool stops and gives it to you. When the GIF is far too big, it skips ahead to stronger settings so you don't wait for nothing.

Which Size Do You Need?

Target sizeCommon use
100 KBForum avatars and email signatures
256 KBDiscord custom emoji
512 KBDiscord stickers, chat apps and previews
1 MBBlog posts and web pages
5 MBEmail attachments and messaging apps
10 MBDiscord messages on a free account

Why a GIF Won't Reach the Size

A long, large GIF with lots of movement holds a lot of picture data. To get it very small, the tool may have to make it tiny or remove many frames. If it still can't fit, it tells you the smallest size it reached. Then:

  • Make it shorter by removing frames in the GIF Editor.
  • Crop it to the important part with Crop GIF.
  • Resize it to the size it will be shown at with the GIF Resizer, then try again.

For a Discord emoji or sticker, which also needs an exact picture size, use the Discord Emoji Maker or Discord Sticker Maker.

Your GIF Never Leaves Your Device

All the compressing happens in your web browser. Your GIF is not uploaded, so it stays private, and there is no file size limit.

GIF Compressor GIF Compressor for Discord GIF Optimizer Discord Emoji Maker GIF Resizer Crop GIF

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I compress a GIF to exactly 256 KB?
Choose your GIF, leave the target at 256 KB and click Compress GIF. The result will be 256 KB or a little under, never over.
Why 256 KB?
It is the size limit for custom emoji on Discord, and a common limit for avatars and signatures on forums and websites.
Can I compress a GIF to 100 KB or less?
Yes. Type 100 in the size box. Small sizes work best for short, small GIFs. A long GIF may have to become very small or lose many frames to fit.
Will the GIF still be animated?
Yes. The animation is kept. To reach small sizes the tool may remove some frames, but it gives their time to the frames that stay, so the GIF plays for the same length of time.
Is there a limit on the size of the GIF I upload?
No. The GIF is processed in your browser, so the only limit is your device's memory.
Is Compress GIF to 256 KB free to use?
Yes. Compress GIF to 256 KB is completely free, with no sign-up, no watermark and no limit on how many times you use it.
Are my files uploaded to a server?
No. Your files are processed directly in your web browser on your own device. Nothing is uploaded or stored, and the file is gone from memory when you close the tab.

More GIF Tools

GIF Maker Video to GIF WebP to GIF Combine GIFs Add Image to GIF Spinning GIF Maker Discord Sticker Maker GIF Editor Write on GIF GIF to WebP GIF Frame Extractor GIF Resizer
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