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How to Convert AVI to GIF on Windows & Mac with Filmora

How to convert AVI to GIF on Windows and Mac with Filmora

Liza Brown
Liza Brown Originally published Jul 07, 22, updated Mar 27, 24

People enjoy watching and sharing longer videos, but in size, they are usually bigger. So, changing the format such as AVI to GIF can be one of the solutions.

Instead of the full video, people can share short instances in playable GIF file formats on social media apps like WhatsApp, Tumblr, etc. GIF files have smaller sizes, play automatically on devices without any extra software compared to videos, and we can share them during conversations as reactions.

So, people opt for top apps to convert AVIs to the compressed GIF. With many tools present now, like Wondershare Filmora 11, the avi-to-gif shifting can be done in just steps only.

Wondering how? We discuss that right here!

In this article
    1. How to convert AVI to GIF on PC?
    2. How to convert AVI to GIF on Mac?
  1. Part 2: Comparison Between AVI and GIF
    1. How to Merge Multiple AVI Videos to GIF Online?
    2. What is the maximum size of a GIF file?
    3. Can you add sound to a GIF? If so, how?

Part 1: Best way to convert a AVI to a GIF

While Filmora is known mainly for video editing, the software is suitable for diverse customization activities. It is simple to convert files into other formats like a GIF to AVI, and vice versa, with Filmora. Additionally, this app removes the video background, controls sound beat/speed, records screens, and adds diverse pre-set effects and filters.

Pros
  • Various video, audio, and image file formats are allowed, from Matroska video files to Flash videos.
  • Output is allowed in devices like smartphones, tablets, and Smart TVs.
  • It allows video output into DVD-based file formats.
  • It is constantly updated.
Cons
  • Some codec formats the app is said to support may not be available in specific systems.
  • 4K editing sucks sometines
Free Download
Free Download

How to convert AVI to GIF on PC?

It is possible to easily use Filmora as an AVI to GIF converter while using Windows devices. The software is mainly supported on Windows 11/10/8.1/7 OS, and users should update their graphic drivers to the updated version before running it.

Step1Download the Filmora software on your Windows system and install it, following all the given instructions. Then, launch the software.

Step2Click on the Import button and choose the media file from your device, or drag it onto the primary editor window. Make sure to choose the video in AVI file format for the AVI to GIF conversion.

click on the import button

Step3Drag the files to the timeline and drop them.

Step4Make editing choices like crop, trim, rotate, speed adjustment, etc.

make edting choices

Step5Cut the duration of the file to a preferred clip since GIF files are usually shorter sections.

Step6Save by exporting the file through the Export tab and choose the location of the file, the name, and format, i.e., GIF.

Step7Click on the Export button and choose “GIF” under the “Local” tab.

click on the export button

How to convert AVI to GIF on Mac?

This AVI GIF converter is also usable on Mac devices. However, the software is supported on certain OS versions, like macOS v10.14 (Mojave), macOS v10.15 (Catalina), macOS v11 (Big Sur), and macOS v12 (Monterey) only. For older versions, you have to get Filmora v10.5. Also, Boris FX and NewBlue FX are available on specific devices.

However, you can convert AVI to GIF format on most Mac systems without any error unless you are using advanced functions like BorisFX on your Mac device with M1 chipsets. The steps for the process are similar to the Windows version as well.

Step1Install and launch Filmora 11.

Step2Add your video file in AVI format by clicking on the Add File button on the screen.

Step3Cut the video size and adjust speed, color match, add subtitles, and other customizations.

Step4Click on the Export button and choose the file's name, format (GIF), and the file saving location in device.

Step5Press Export for the processing to begin.

Part 2: Comparison Between AVI and GIF

Given that AVI (Audio Visual Interleave) is a video-based format and GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) is an image-centric file type, there are considerable differences between both.

AVI is a Windows and proprietary type of multi-media container format created by a team of developers at Microsoft. On the other hand, a GIF is a type of bitmap image file format, created under a CompuServe team with Steve Wilhite, a capable computer scientist from the United States, at the helm of the project.

So, in essence, both are vastly different, but have commonalities in certain aspects. For AVI to GIF conversion, knowing what they are should help.

Parameter of Comparison GIF AVI
Created by CompuServ Microsoft
Date of Development June 15, 1987 November 10, 1992
Latest Update Date 1989 1996
File Extension .GIF .AVI
Sharing Speed It is easy and fast to share GIF files between devices due to their smaller size. Since the file is larger in size, the overall speed of transfer would be high.
Type of Format Bitmap lossless image format Container format
Container For - Video, audio
Pros Compressed file (small size) High-quality resolution of the video (upto 4K/8K)
Cons It does not allow much editing. The file size can get to very big size limits.
Support for B-Frames B-framing is compatible with GIFs. It was not made with b-frames in consideration but can work with it.
Maximum Duration Supported The GIF files can extend to 15 seconds maximum. The length and duration of these files a user can prepare/keep depend on their limit of file storage capacity.
Variable Bit Rate Audio Not supported. It can be detected in AVI and is generally non-standard.
Variable Frame Rate GIFs calculate delay render duration per frame, and they run in milliseconds. All frames can include varying durations. So, a specific frame rate is difficult to confirm. Not supported- AVIs have a constant design.
Subtitles Add text as subtitles. Supported subtitle formats include ASS, SSA, and SRT files.
Chapters Not related to GIFs. Not supported.
Video Formats Supported Animation-based codecs. Video-based codecs.
Audio Formats Supported It does not include sound. You can convert the GIF file to an.mp4 format to add audio. Multiple audio codecs are supported, like MP3.
File Size + Quality GIF sizes are smaller, with a maximum limit of 5 MB. AVI files can extend to 4 GB size with 32-bit pointers. The resolution quality of this format is typically 160 x 120 pixels with a 15FPS refresh rate.
Popularity Sharing compressed, automatically playing clips across websites and social media. Storing bigger videos, movies, music videos, streaming to file conversion, etc.
Media Player Support Video players like GIFView support GIF files. Different video players like VLC Media Player and MX Player support AVI files.
Metadata/Tags Supported GIFs support plain text block, comment block, and app extension (application-specific) block types of metadata. These files can include XMP data with a related app extension block. AVI files get INFO chunk-tagged metadata since it is a RIFF derivative. It can also embed with the Extensible Metadata Platform.
Uniform Type Identifier (UTI) com.compuserve.GIF public.AVI

Part 3: FAQs about Converting AVI to Animated GIF

1. How to Merge Multiple AVI Videos to GIF Online?

Like using software to convert AVI to GIF, you can use specific online conversion tools to merge many GIF files to AVI. The Filmora software is highly capable of merging AVI to GIF files as well, but it is not accessible as an online tool.

2. What is the maximum size of a GIF file?

The size of the GIF file is generally very small, and it depends on the particular resolution of the GIF file. Technically, the GIFs are limited to 100MB, although we recommend 8MB or less. Also, the source video resolution should be 720p max, but 480p we be better to go.

3. Can you add sound to a GIF? If so, how?

Yes, one can add audio into GIF files with specific tools or software, but only if you convert it to a video file format. While using Filmora to convert AVI to GIF, you can add voiceover/recording or convert GIF to video format.

Liza Brown
Liza Brown Mar 27, 24
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