Help & tips
Everything you need to get the best out of GifGen. Skim the tips below for prompt and image advice, then check the FAQ for the questions we get most often.
Pick the right starting image
- One clear subject works best — portraits, characters, mascots, single objects.
- A clean or simple background helps the model isolate what should move.
- Avoid scenes with many people, heavy text, or busy crowds.
- Square or near-square crops produce the most consistent frames.
Write a prompt the model can act on
- Describe the motion, not the subject. The image already shows what the subject is.
- Use verbs: "tilts her head", "puts on glasses", "the wings flap".
- One idea at a time. "Bounces gently" beats "bounces, spins, and waves".
- Leave the prompt blank if a motion style already says everything you need.
Use motion styles for consistent feel
- Rotate, Spin: subject turns around a centre or axis.
- Bounce, Pulse, Sway, Float: rhythmic, friendly motion.
- Zoom, Shake: dramatic, attention-grabbing.
- Motion blur, Glitch, Glow: visual treatments layered on whatever motion you describe.
Edit the result before downloading
- Tap Edit on a finished animation to open the timeline.
- Drag frames to reorder, tap to hide bad ones, change the playback speed.
- Toggle Loop ↔ Boomerang for the seamless-loop feel.
- Hidden frames stay hidden in the exported GIF.
Where the GIFs work
- WhatsApp: import as an animated sticker via the in-app sticker store or "Add" button.
- Discord: drop a GIF into chat, or upload as your animated avatar (Nitro).
- Google account avatar: upload as your profile picture; animation plays where supported.
- Slides: drag into Keynote, Google Slides, or Notion — the GIF auto-plays.
Frequently asked
How does GifGen work?
Upload one image, describe what should move, and GifGen creates a smooth looping GIF for you. We don't train our own model. We sit on top of the best image models (Google's Gemini, optionally OpenAI's) and build the fastest workflow around them.
Is this a GIF converter or GIF search?
Neither. Converters turn a video you already have into a GIF, and GIF search pulls from a stock library. GifGen generates brand-new frames from your image and prompt with AI, then loops them into an original GIF. It is created, not found or re-encoded.
What kinds of images work best?
A single clear subject on a clean background works best: portraits, characters, illustrations, product shots, mascots. Busy scenes with many people or heavy text can come out inconsistent. Logos and icons work too, paired with a motion style like Pulse or Rotate.
How do I steer the animation?
Two ways: write a prompt describing the motion ("the cat tilts its head and blinks"), or pick a motion style like Rotate, Bounce, Glitch, or Zoom. Mix both for the most control.
What's the difference between Standard and Smoother?
Standard packs more resolution into fewer frames, so you get a crisper, more stop-motion look in a shorter loop. Smoother spreads the motion across more frames for a more fluid, flowing animation. Both produce a finished GIF, so it comes down to the look you want: sharp and punchy, or smooth and flowing.
Can I edit the result?
Yes, every GIF is fully editable. Reorder frames, hide ones that look off, change the speed, tweak the crop, and toggle loop or boomerang. Your edits apply to the exported GIF.
Can I use the GIFs as stickers on WhatsApp, TikTok, Instagram?
Yes. Exported GIFs are optimised for messaging and social. WhatsApp takes them as animated stickers, and TikTok and Instagram take them as overlays or post media.
Can I use the GIFs commercially?
Yes, every GIF made on a paid plan comes with an unlimited commercial-use licence. Note that AI-generated content may not qualify for copyright in some places, so we grant a licence rather than transferring copyright. See the Terms for details.
How many GIFs can I make?
Free trial accounts start with 30 credits. The Creator plan gives you 1,000 credits a month, plenty for dozens of animations. Smoother animations cost a bit more than Standard ones, and failed generations refund automatically.
Learn more
Still have questions? Contact us
Still stuck?
Send us an email and a human will get back to you. Include the prompt or animation you were working on if you can — it helps us help you faster.