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Guide to Animated PFPs on Discord Without Nitro [2025]

James Hogan
James Hogan Originally published Oct 14, 25, updated Oct 18, 25

With the evolution of social media, the concept of profile pictures is also changing. Platforms like Discord have a feature of GIF profile pictures to make your profile stand out. The looping motion catches the eye of the audience and makes them add you. To help you gain easy friends on this platform, this article explains how to get animated PFPs on Discord without Nitro.

guide to get gifs for discord

In this article

    1. Generate GIF Profile Picture With Filmora App
    2. Using Filmora Desktop for GIF Profile Picture
    3. Method 1. Image to Video
    4. Method 2. The Manual Method

Part 1. What is a GIF For a Discord Profile?

A Discord profile GIF is an animated image used instead of a normal profile picture. It loops continuously, showing motion or effects that make your avatar more expressive and fun. Check out the following points to learn more about this term:

  1. Nitro Requirement: Nitro subscription lets you add a GIF to your profile photo to show motion to your avatar. Therefore, you will need Nitro to get your hands on this feature directly.
  2. Appearance and Style: Using a GIF on Discord adds animation and personality to your profile. It makes your avatar stand out in chats, voice channels, and member lists compared to static images.
  3. File and Format Rules: The Discord GIF feature requires you to select a .gif format and a square-shaped image. Your display should be under 10MB in size to ensure a high-quality display.
  4. Purpose: Profile GIFs help express individuality and make your presence more noticeable in communities. They help you and your brand stand out with a motion in the Discord GIF PFP display.

Part 2. Creating a GIF for Discord Profile Picture

As stated before, Nitro unlocks the GIF profile picture functionality to help you stand out. It gives you the option to select the built-in avatars or upload one from your device. Once you have selected the display GIF, you can magnify or shrink it until you get the frame of your choice.

To give a funny impact to your GIF, Discord allows you to rotate the image in 4 directions. The guide below explores how to set a Discord profile picture GIF:

  • Step 1. To begin with, navigate to the bottom left of the screen and select the "Settings" icon.
access the settings icon discord nitro
  • Step 2. From the left panel, enter the "Profiles" tab and hit the "Change Avatar" button.
change avatar nitro
  • Step 3. Using the next window, select a GIF from the built-in options or upload one from your device.
choose gif pfp nitro
  • Step 4. After you have chosen a GIF, resize it using the slider below and rotate it if you want. Once the image is ready, click "Apply" to set it as your Discord profile picture.
edit and apply gif nitro

Part 3. How to Get a GIF Profile Picture Without Nitro?

If you are not a Nitro subscriber, you can still get a GIF profile picture on Discord without Nitro. For this, you can use any online tool that converts your image into GIF and then add the GIF as PFP on your Discord account. The steps below cover a guide on setting a motion image as a display on this platform:

  • Step 1. To begin with, access tools like Ezgif on your web browser. Now, select the "Choose Files" button to upload an image from your device.
choose online jpg to gif converter
  • Step 2. In the following interface, specify your GIF needs and select the "Make a GIF" button to see the results on the next page.
choose gif option and generate
  • Step 3. When the results are generated, select the "Save" button to download the file.
save generated gif to device
  • Step 4. Moving forward, open Discord and select the "Settings" icon at the bottom left.
click settings discord without nitro
  • Step 5. From the "Profiles" tab on the left panel, select the "Change Avatar" button to "Upload" a file from your device.
change avatar without nitro
  • Step 6. After you have uploaded an option, resize it using the designated slider and click "Apply" to end the process.
apply gif pfp without nitro

Part 4. How to Make Your Own GIF Profile Picture?

In a world where everyone has a GIF display, the competition among users gets real. To create a captivating GIF for your Discord GIF PFP, you need a tool like Wondershare Filmora. With its exciting AI and basic editing features, it offers a comprehensive platform for its users. The Filmora App [iOS/Android] also provides its GIF-making capabilities to users looking for quick solutions across their smartphones.

Both versions of this tool also serve as an Image-to-GIF converter for users who want to save their pictures as motion displays. If you have a lengthy video, this platform converts that into a GIF, covering all the frames present in the footage. Once you have created a display motion image, you can download it to your device in the settings of your choice.

Generate GIF Profile Picture With Filmora App

Using the mobile version of this tool, users can create custom visual content with the resources of their choice. From incorporating text to using emojis, you can end up with a captivating display. Ultimately, iOS users can export their displays as Live Photos and put them up as a GIF profile picture. The steps below feature a detailed guide on using the Filmora App to generate an animated GIF for a Discord profile:

  • Step 1. Access the Feature and Add an Image. To start the process, select the "Image to Video" tab and enter the next interface. Here, upload an image by tapping on the designated icon. When the image appears, add a textual description for the video you want to create.
generate image to video filmora app
  • Step 2. Prepare to Edit the GIF. When the video has been generated from an image, tap the "Project Edit" button at the bottom left to start customizing.
click project edit to continue
  • Step 3. Incorporate Text to Make the GIF Engaging. When the video is fetched into the editing interface, tap the "Text" tab at the bottom. After you have typed the text, enter the "Animation" tab and select a motion template for your text. To make the text look eye-catching, use the "Style" tab on the left.
add and customize text filmora app
  • Step 4. Add a Sticker from the Built-in Resources. Now, press the "Sticker" tab at the bottom toolbar and enter a new screen. Here, enter the "Stickers" panel and pick a relevant resource from the options. You can adjust the size and position of the sticker as needed.
add sticker to gif
  • Step 5. Apply an Effect to Complement the Vibe. Using the "Effect" tab in the bottom toolbar, select an asset that goes with the vibe of your GIF.
apply effect filmora app
  • Step 6. Export the GIF As a Live Photo. After your GIF is ready, select the "Export" button from the top right of the screen and save it as a "Live Photo."
save gif as live photo
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Using Filmora Desktop for GIF Profile Picture

When you want to spend time editing the GIF and making the perfect results, use the desktop version of Filmora. It offers extensive AI features that can help you create a high-quality GIF profile picture on Discord without Nitro. This version offers 2 methods of making a motion image from scratch. Follow the guide below and learn how to create a GIF DP for Discord on Filmora:

Method 1. Image to Video

The Image to Video functionality allows users to generate a compelling video using just their textual prompt. The results are highly complicit with the prompt, generating a GIF just as you need it. By enabling the VEO 3 video-generation mode, you can create an ultra-realistic AI video.

Once your video is generated, it can be edited by being dropped onto the timeline. The following steps feature a detailed guide on using this tool to generate a video from an image:

  • Step 1. Select the New Project Button. To begin the process, select the "Image to Video" button and access the next interface.
image to video tab filmora desktop
  • Step 2. Add the Video and the Textual Description. Using the left panel, import a video by clicking the designated icon. When the image is imported, type the description and select the "Generate" button to see the results on the right.
generate video from image
  • Step 3. Add an Effect to Create a Vibe. From the top toolbar, select the "Effects" tab and choose a relevant resource for the video. Using the right side, you can customize the effect by adjusting the intensity.
apply effect filmora desktop
  • Step 4. Use the Titles Tab to Add Text. To complement the message, enter the "Titles" tab at the top and select a suitable asset. Using the right panel, type the text and customize it as you scroll down.
add customizable text title
  • Step 5. Export the GIF to Your Device. Once the results are generated, access the "Export" button at the top right to enter the next interface. Using the next window, select "GIF" from the "Format" menu and select "Export" to save it. Now, open Discord and upload this GIF to change your avatar.
export ai image to video gif
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Method 2. The Manual Method

As stated before, Filmora offers various methods of putting together a Discord animated PFP without Nitro. This technique gives you complete control over the editing and adding of the resources of your choice. The guide below features steps for using the manual method to create a GIF for a Discord profile picture:

  • Step 1. Enter a New Project to Import an Image. To begin the process, select the "New Project" button and "Import" an image that you want to transform into a GIF.
select the new project button
  • Step 2. Add Text to Convey a Message. To convey your message clearly, enter the "Titles" tab at the top and add the desired text. Using the "Basic" menu under the "Text" panel, customize the text to your desired extent.
add text filmora manual method
  • Step 3. Animate the Text. From the "Animation" panel on the right, apply an animation template to add an urgency to the GIF.
animate text with effects
  • Step 4. Add an Effect to Create a Vibe. Using the "Effects" tab at the top, select and apply a resource that breathes life into your moving image.
apply built in effect
  • Step 5. Generate an AI Sticker. To make the GIF more engaging, navigate to the "Stickers" panel and generate an "AI Sticker". You will need to enter a textual prompt and specify a sticker style.
add ai generated sticker
  • Step 6. Apply a Filter to Refine the Visuals. Now, select the "Filters" tab at the top, apply an overlay, and adjust it using the right panel.
add filter overlay for gif
  • Step 7. Export the Media as a GIF. Once you are done editing the image, select the "Export" button at the top right to save the file as a "GIF".
save the image as gif

Conclusion

To conclude the discussion, this article was a complete breakdown on how to get an animated PFP on Discord without Nitro. We explored the methods of setting a motion image as a profile picture with and without Nitro. To stand out with GIF displays, users need eye-catching options. Filmora offers its desktop and mobile versions to generate compelling motion images from scratch with endless resources to create a perfect GIF display.

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James Hogan
James Hogan Oct 18, 25
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