How to turn video into a GIF online: Mac, iPhone, iPad

Turning video into a GIF is a fun and simple way to make your content more shareable, whether for social media, websites, or presentations. Whether you want to make a GIF out of video clips from your favorite shows, create eye-catching visuals for your business, or add personality to a presentation, a GIF can convey your message quickly and memorably.

In this guide, I'll show multiple ways to convert videos to GIFs, including Mac apps like Pulltube and Permute, iPhone or iPad Shortcuts, and online tools such as Giphy. You’ll learn easy, beginner-friendly workflows for converting video to GIF that save time and keep the process stress-free.

To quickly grab videos before converting, try All Video Downloader to download clips from 1000+ websites.

How to choose a video for your GIF

The first step to making a GIF from a video is to choose a video. It’s important to consider the length of the clip and the type of content.

TipGIFs should usually be around 10-15 seconds in length, and the content should be engaging and eye-catching. Additionally, GIFs tend to work best with videos that have shorter segments that repeat, such as a funny moment or a certain action.

You can use any video from your camera or find something on YouTube, Facebook, or one of the many other video platforms to convert online videos to GIFs.

I recommend you try Pulltube to easily download videos from YouTube and other major sites. All you have to do is paste the link of the video you want to download, select the desired resolution, and click “Download video.” It’s that simple!

The best thing is that you can avoid downloading the whole video because, for a GIF, you only need to save one scene. With Pulltube, you can trim videos and save only the parts you want to. Paste the link to Pulltube and click the scissors button. This will take you to the Trimming Mode, where you can set the length of the clip by hand. Once you’re ready, click the Trim button, and Pulltube will save the output. 

How to trim a video

If you use your own video, you might need a tool to trim it. One of the best options is Capto. It’ll help you trim your video quickly and easily. The app also has dozens of great features you might need next time you record your screen with real-time voice-over or just want to make quick edits to your videos. 

Step-by-Step guide to convert video to GIF on Mac

Once you’re done with trimming, let’s convert the movie to a GIF on your Mac. For this, you need your Keynote presentation app. It should come pre-installed on your Mac, and you can find it in your Applications folder. 

To convert MP4 to GIFMP4 to GIF: 

1. Create a single-slide presentation using the video and export it. 
2. Click File on the menu bar < Export To.
3. Choose Animated GIF.

You can also adjust the video (add text, adjust volume, trim, etc.). 

That’s how you can get GIF files from a video with Mac’s Keynote.

Use Permute to make a GIF out of a video easily

If the native Mac method sounds like too much hassle, try this easier one. For this, you’ll need Permute, a video-to-GIF converter for Mac.

Here’s how to make a GIF from a video using Permute: 

1. Download and open Permute.
2. Then open the video you want to make into a GIF using the “+” button on the bottom left.
3. Click on the trim tool to choose the area of the video you want to use for the GIF. You can adjust the start time and duration of the GIF by dragging the selection handles at the start and end of the selection. Apply.
4. At the top of the window, choose GIF animation. 
5. Then convert the video to a GIF by clicking the Start button.
6. The GIF will be saved to your device.

And that’s it! Permute makes creating GIFs a breeze, so go ahead and start making content others will love.

How to turn videos into GIFs on iPhone and iPad

Sometimes, you might want to create some GIFs on your iPhone or iPad. Fortunately, there’s an easy way to do that. 

To turn a video into an animated GIF on your iPhone or iPad:

1. Open the Shortcuts app (it comes pre-installed on your device).
2. In the search bar, type “GIF.”
3. You should see shortcuts like “Make GIF” and “Video to GIF.” One is for creating GIFs from live photos, and the other is for making GIFs from videos. If you don’t see such shortcuts, you can create them using the “+” button.
4. Then choose a video that you want to turn into a GIF. Edit if necessary.
5. And tap Done.

Online tools to convert video to GIF for free

Want to turn video into a GIF quickly without installing apps? Online tools like Giphy, GIFMaker, and Gifs.com make it easy to make a GIF out of video clips right in your browser. You can resize GIFs, add captions, adjust speed, and loop sections for the perfect animation.

The downside is privacy — uploading videos online may not feel secure. Online tools can also be slower and less advanced than Mac apps or iPhone shortcuts. Mac apps like Pulltube and Permute, or iPhone Shortcuts, give you more control, quality, and faster processing for a professional GIF.

For YouTube clips, try the YouTube to GIF guide to quickly and safely convert videos into shareable GIFs.

The easiest way to convert a video to a GIF on a Mac

Creating GIFs from video is an easy and fun way to add more personality and excitement to your content.  

For fast and reliable video to GIF convert on a Mac, Permute stands out as the top choice. It handles multiple formats, lets you adjust GIF length and resolution, and delivers smooth, high-quality results every time. Pair it with Pulltube for quick video downloads and Capto for trimming, and you have a seamless workflow for creating shareable GIFs.

All these apps are available via Setapp, which offers over 260 handy tools for Mac, iPhone, and iPad. With a 7-day free trial, you can explore the apps and start making GIFs that grab attention.

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