---
title: ".gif file — what it is and how to open it"
description: "A .gif file is a Graphics Interchange Format. The 256-colour animation format from 1987 that refuses to die. How to open one on Windows, macOS and Linux, and what to convert it to."
url: https://atoneplace.net/file/gif/
site: "At One Place"
---

# .gif files

**.gif file: Graphics Interchange Format**

The 256-colour animation format from 1987 that refuses to die.

## What opens a .gif file

- **Windows:** Photos (built in), Any web browser, IrfanView, GIMP
- **macOS:** Preview (built in — shows frames), Any web browser, GIMP
- **Linux:** Image Viewer / Loupe (built in), Any web browser, GIMP
- **In a browser:** Any web browser, ezgif.com

## What a .gif file is

CompuServe published GIF in 1987. It is limited to 256 colours per frame, which makes it poor for photographs and fine for flat graphics and short looping animations. Modern chat apps and social sites often store what they call "GIFs" as silent MP4 or WebM video instead, because the real thing is far larger for the same clip.

## Converting it

A .gif file is commonly converted to .mp4, .webp, .png, .apng or .webm. It is a binary format, so a text editor will show unreadable characters rather than its contents.

## Details

- **Extension:** .gif
- **Full name:** Graphics Interchange Format
- **Category:** Images
- **MIME type:** image/gif
- **Created by:** CompuServe
- **Format:** Binary

## Common questions

### How do I open a .gif file?

On Windows use Photos (built in); on macOS use Preview (built in — shows frames); on Linux use Image Viewer / Loupe (built in). The 256-colour animation format from 1987 that refuses to die.

### What is a .gif file?

Graphics Interchange Format. CompuServe published GIF in 1987. It is limited to 256 colours per frame, which makes it poor for photographs and fine for flat graphics and short looping animations.

### Can I convert a .gif file?

Yes. It is usually converted to .mp4, .webp, .png, .apng or .webm, either by exporting from one of the programs listed above or with a format converter.

## Related pages

- [.jpg — JPEG Image](https://atoneplace.net/file/jpg/)
- [.png — Portable Network Graphics](https://atoneplace.net/file/png/)
- [.jpeg — JPEG Image (four-letter form)](https://atoneplace.net/file/jpeg/)
- [.heic — High Efficiency Image Container](https://atoneplace.net/file/heic/)
- [.webp — WebP Image](https://atoneplace.net/file/webp/)
- [.psd — Adobe Photoshop Document](https://atoneplace.net/file/psd/)
- [.svg — Scalable Vector Graphics](https://atoneplace.net/file/svg/)
- [.ai — Adobe Illustrator Artwork](https://atoneplace.net/file/ai/)
- [.avif — AV1 Image File Format](https://atoneplace.net/file/avif/)
- [.tiff — Tagged Image File Format](https://atoneplace.net/file/tiff/)
- [.raw — Camera Raw Image](https://atoneplace.net/file/raw/)
- [.ico — Windows Icon](https://atoneplace.net/file/ico/)

## Sources

- Media Types Registry — IANA (https://www.iana.org/assignments/media-types/)
- Official vendor product documentation — At One Place (/about/)