Convert JPG to GIF
Turn JPG photos into GIF images. Everything happens in your browser, so your photos never leave your device.
Why convert JPG to GIF?
JPG is everywhere, but its lossy compression and lack of transparency aren't right for every job. GIF opens everywhere, from browsers to chat apps, and suits simple graphics with few colours.
GIF's 256-colour limit
GIF can only show 256 colours in an image, so a JPG with photos, gradients or soft shadows will be reduced to a palette and may show banding or a grainy dithered look. Logos, line art and flat graphics with few colours convert cleanly.
Where GIF files work
Every browser, chat app and image viewer supports GIF, animation included.
JPG and GIF compared
| Property | JPG | GIF |
|---|---|---|
| Compression | Lossy | Lossless, 256 colours |
| Transparency | No | On/off only |
| Animation | No | Yes |
| Typical file size | Small (a phone photo is usually 1–5 MB) | Small for simple graphics; large for animations |
| Best for | Photos, sharing, uploads | Short animations, simple graphics |
| Support | Universal | Universal |
Questions
Will converting JPG to GIF make the background transparent?
No. JPG has no transparency, so the GIF keeps the same solid background. Remove the background in an editor first if you need a transparent GIF.
Will converting JPG to GIF reduce quality?
It can. GIF is limited to 256 colours, so photos and gradients lose colour detail. Simple graphics with few colours look the same.
Is JPG the same as JPEG?
Yes. JPG and JPEG are the same format; the shorter .jpg extension dates from older versions of Windows that only allowed three-letter extensions. Format Hero accepts both.
Are my JPG photos uploaded anywhere?
No. The conversion runs in your browser, on your own device, so your photos are never sent to a server. Once the page and converter have loaded, it keeps working even if your connection drops.