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 renders a grid of frames in a single call — 9 for Standard, 16 for Smoother — then stitches them into a smooth, looping GIF. 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 workflow that turns them into the fastest way to make a GIF.
What kinds of images work best?
A single clear subject on a relatively clean background works best — portraits, characters, illustrations, product shots, mascots. Photos with one main subject animate cleanly. Busy scenes with many people, dense crowds, or heavy text can produce inconsistent frames. If you have a logo or icon, treat it as a subject and pair it with a motion style like Pulse or Rotate.
How do I steer the animation?
Two ways. Write a prompt that describes the motion ('the cat tilts its head and blinks') — or pick a motion style: Rotate, Bounce, Pulse, Sway, Spin, Float, Motion blur, Glitch, Glow, Zoom, Shake. Styles append a motion descriptor to your prompt so you get a consistent feel across renders. Mix both for the most control.
What's the difference between Standard and Smoother?
Standard renders 9 frames (3×3 grid) — shorter, faster, lower credit cost. Smoother renders 16 frames (4×4) — longer loop, more fluid motion, higher credit cost. Both produce a finished GIF; pick Smoother when the motion needs subtlety, Standard for quick iteration.
Can I edit the result?
Yes — every GIF is fully editable. Drag to reorder frames, tap to hide ones that look off, change playback speed (FPS), tweak the crop, toggle loop ↔ boomerang. Edits persist and apply to the exported GIF.
Can I use the GIFs as stickers on WhatsApp, TikTok, Instagram?
Yes. The exported GIFs are sized and optimised for messaging and social platforms. WhatsApp accepts them as animated stickers; TikTok and Instagram accept them as overlays or post media. Standard short GIFs work best as stickers; longer Smoother loops work better as posts.
Can I use the GIFs commercially?
Yes — every GIF generated on a paid plan comes with an unlimited commercial-use licence. Note: AI-generated content may not qualify for copyright protection in some jurisdictions, so we grant a licence rather than transferring copyright. See the Terms for the full wording.
How many GIFs can I make?
A Standard animation (9 frames) costs 10 credits; a Smoother one (16 frames) costs 30 credits. Free trial accounts get 30 credits to start. The Creator plan tops you up with 1,000 credits a month — plenty for dozens of animations. Failed generations refund automatically.
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.