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How to Make and Upload a GIF for Discord

James Hogan
James Hogan Originally published Nov 19, 24, updated Dec 16, 24

In Discord, GIFs are the perfect way to spice up conversations on the server. These looped, animated images are more fun than sending a simple emoji or plain text. But when you are short on the perfect GIFs to express what you're feeling, you might start wondering how to make Discord GIFs and share them with the Discord community.

Thankfully, Discord lets you upload your own GIFs. You can create custom GIFs featuring your favorite characters or funny reactions to share with the server members. Now, all that's left is to learn how to make a GIF for Discord—and we're here to guide you through every step of the process.

learn how to make discord gifs
In this article
    1. Why Filmora is Your Go-To Tool for Making GIFs
    2. How to make GIFs for Discord

Part 1. Types of GIFs to Make for Discord

Unlike static images, GIFs are more dynamic—usually lasting a few seconds and playing on a continuous loop. Due to this nature, Discord GIFs are commonly used to express emotions, reactions, and even jokes in a way that words and static images just can't match. These are some types of GIFs you can make for Discord:

  1. Meme GIFs: Everyone loves memes because they are funny and relatable. But when you can't find the meme you're looking for, or you come up with an idea to create your own, you can turn that into a GIF for Discord.
  2. meme gifs for discord
  3. Reaction GIFs: Reaction GIFs are popular to convey your feelings without saying a word. Whether you're happy, shocked, laughing, or even facepalming, a reaction GIF on Discord can sum it up perfectly. These are often made from movie scenes, favorite TV shows, or even your friends or streamers on the server.
  4. reaction meme to use for discord
  5. Animated Text GIFs: Sometimes, words alone just aren't enough—or maybe they are, but you want to add some creativity to it. You can create flashing text or moving letters that spell out phrases like "Welcome", "Happy Birthday!", or "New Announcement!". This way, your message can stand out more.
  6. animated text for discord server

Once you decide on what kind of GIF to make, we can go to the next step on how to make your own GIF on Discord. But before that, there are some requirements to keep in mind to ensure your Discord GIFs load quickly without any issues. See the table below for the ideal GIF specifications for Discord.

RequirementsDetails
File SizeMax. 10 MB
ResolutionsUp to 720p for best quality
Duration Length< 10s for optimal looping
Frame Rate30 fps
The GIF's file size and resolution can significantly impact its performance on Discord. If the file size is large, the GIF may load slowly and the upload time can take a while. Additionally, high-resolution GIFs may look great but can be harder to share quickly. To ensure smooth playback, aim to keep the file size as small as possible below the maximum limit.

Part 2. How to Make Your Own GIF for Discord

Now that you're familiar with the different types of GIFs you can make for Discord and the specific requirements they should meet, it's time to learn how to make a Discord GIF. The first step is picking the right tool since you can't directly make GIFs on Discord. And one of the best options is Wondershare Filmora.

Filmora is a video editor packed with features that make it easy to turn any clip into a GIF. There are various text animations, filters, and effects within the software that can help you create GIFs for Discord and fine-tune them, even if you're new to video editing.

Why Filmora is Your Go-To Tool for Making GIFs

  • Text Animations: Filmora offers a wide range of text animations, enabling you to add dynamic captions and titles to your GIFs effortlessly.
  • Effects and Filters: Enhance your GIFs with Filmora's extensive collection of effects and filters, giving your creations a unique, professional touch.
  • AI-Powered Tools: Filmora’s AI features simplify and speed up the GIF creation process, making it easier to generate high-quality GIFs quickly and efficiently.
  • Trimming and Speed Control: Easily trim video clips and adjust playback speed, allowing you to craft GIFs with precise timing and the perfect visual impact.

For this tutorial, we will show you how to create a reaction GIF for Discord like this:

create a custom discord gif

How to make GIFs for Discord

Step 1 Install Filmora and Create a New Project

If you haven't, install Filmora first on your computer. Then, open the software and create a new project.

create new project on filmora
Step 2 Import Your Images or Video Clips

Click on the 'Import' button to bring in the media files you want to use for your GIF. You can choose a single video or a sequence of images that you want to animate. Then, drag your video or images onto the timeline.

import images or videos for gif
Step 3 Trim Your Footage and Keep It Short

Since GIFs are usually short, lasting only a few seconds, you can use the trimming tool to cut your clip down to the desired length.

trim footage and keep it short
Step 4 Change the Video Playback Speed

If you rather make the video fast (or slow) to give it a dramatic effect, you can change the video speed by selecting the Speed icon. Then, select Uniform Speed.

change video playback speed

In the Property Panel, you can change the speed using the glider or set your preferred value in the Duration field.

set footage speed for discord gif
Step 5 Using Pan and Zoom

To give your GIF a fun, comical look, try zooming in on the subject's face using the Pan and Zoom feature. Simply right-click the clip on the timeline and select "Crop and Zoom."

select crop and zoom from options

In the Crop and Zoom window, click on the Pan & Zoom tab. Adjust the ‘Start' rectangle to define where the zoom will begin. Next, adjust the 'End' rectangle to focus on the part of the frame you want to zoom in on. Click Apply to save the changes.

adjust the pan and zoom windows
Step 6 Add Animated Effects or Text (Optional)

To give some context to your Discord GIF, you can add text. Go to the Titles menu and select the text styles you like. Then, make adjustments in the Property Panel.

add animated titles to discord gif

If you want to add some effects, navigate to the Effects menu. Then, find the effect that complements your Discord GIF and add it to the timeline. Don't forget to adjust the timing in the timeline.

add video effect to the gif

If necessary, you can also explore adding extras like animated stickers or filters. You can even generate custom Stickers using Filmora AI Stickers Generator. Refer to Filmora's guidelines on how to use it.

Step 7 Export to the GIF format

Once you're happy with the final result, it's time to export your project as a GIF. Click the Export button at the top, choose GIF as the output format, and adjust any additional export settings, such as resolution and frame rate. Then, click Export to save your GIF.

export the result to gif format

You can check this video for a detailed instruction.

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Part 3. Upload and Share GIFs on Discord

Now that you've learned how to make your own GIFs for Discord, it's time to upload and share them on the platform! Whether you're using Discord on the web, desktop app, or mobile app, Discord supports GIF uploads across all versions.

1. Share GIFs on Discord Web or Desktop App

First, open the Discord server and the chat where you want to share the GIF. Then, click the "+" button and select "Upload a File."

upload and share gif on discord

Select the Discord GIF you've created, and press enter to send. Alternatively, you can also drag and drop the GIF file to the Discord room chat.

drag and drop gif to server

2. Share GIFs on the Discord App for Mobile

Go to the room chat and tap on the + button. Then, select the GIF from your gallery and press the Send button.

share gif on discord mobile app

Part 4. Discord Community Guidelines for GIFs

Although you can make Discord GIFs as you want, there are still some important guidelines to follow. Discord has community standards that prohibit content that is offensive, explicit, or violates copyright. Here's what you need to keep in mind:

  1. Avoid Harmful or Offensive Content
  2. Do not share GIFs with hate speech, harassment, explicit violence, or gore. Such content can lead to your account being flagged or suspended.

  3. Respect NSFW and Copyright Rules
  4. After creating GIFs for Discord, only post NSFW GIFs in designated channels. Moreover, ensure that any GIFs shared do not infringe on copyrights or use protected media without permission.

  5. Limit Spamming and Disruptive GIFs

Avoid posting multiple GIFs in quick succession or using flashing GIFs that could disrupt the chat or affect users with sensitivities.

By sticking to these rules, you can share GIFs responsibly while keeping Discord a safe and enjoyable space for everyone!

Conclusion

Now you know how to make Discord GIFs easily. Using Filmora, you can take advantage of its powerful editing tools to create your own GIFs. You are no longer lost when it comes to turning your ideas into fun, animated content for your chats.

Just remember to follow Discord's rules so everyone can enjoy a safe and fun space. Now it's time to get creative—start making your own GIFs and share them with your friends on Discord! Have fun!

FAQ

  • Do I Need Discord Nitro to Create a Custom GIF?
    No, you don’t need Discord Nitro to create a custom Discord GIF. You can make and upload your own GIFs to Discord with or without Nitro. However, Nitro users do get some extra perks, like the ability to upload larger files (up to 50MB) and use animated emojis across servers.
  • How Do I Make a GIF into a Sticker on Discord?
    Turning a GIF into a sticker on Discord requires access to the Sticker feature, which is available to server owners or Nitro users. To upload a GIF as a sticker, go to your server settings, click on “Stickers” under the “Emoji” section, and click “Upload Sticker.” Then, select your GIF file, add a name and some tags, and save it.
  • Why Won’t My GIF Play on Discord?
    If your GIF isn’t playing on Discord, it could be due to a few common issues. First, check the file size. Discord has a size limit for file uploads. If your GIF exceeds the limits, it may not load properly. Then, make sure your GIF is in the correct format.
  • How to Use GIFs as My Discord Profile Picture?
    To use a GIF as your Discord profile picture, you must be a Discord Nitro subscriber. Once you have Nitro, go to your User Settings. Under “My Account,” click on “Edit Profile.” Then, change your avatar with your GIF.
James Hogan
James Hogan Dec 16, 24
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