GIF to PNG: how the two formats compare
GIF dates back to the late 1980s. PNG arrived in the 1990s as a better replacement for still images. Here is how they differ.
| GIF | PNG | |
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Up to 256 | Millions |
| Transparency | Fully on or off per pixel | Smooth, partial transparency |
| Animation | Yes | Only with the APNG extension |
| Compression | Lossless | Lossless |
For anything that does not move, PNG is usually the better pick. It is the default for screenshots, icons and web graphics today.
What happens to animated GIFs
An animated GIF is a stack of frames played in a loop. A regular PNG holds a single picture, so FileKiwi converts only the first frame. That works well when you need a preview image, a thumbnail or a still for a document or slide.
If the animation starts with a blank frame or a fade in, the PNG will show exactly that. In that case, open the GIF in an editor that shows frames, export the one you want, and convert it here.
Stickers and reaction GIFs saved from chat apps often have a usable first frame. It can serve as an avatar or a small icon in a presentation.
Choosing between PNG, JPG and WebP
PNG is the right choice for logos, icons, screenshots and pixel art, where sharp edges and transparency matter.
If your GIF is actually a photo and you want a smaller file, the GIF to JPG converter may suit you better. For websites, convert the PNG with PNG to WebP to cut the size further while keeping transparency.
Pixel art deserves a special mention. Old game sprites and tiny GIF icons look best when enlarged by whole steps, such as 2x or 4x, using nearest neighbor scaling in an editor. Converting to PNG first keeps every pixel sharp and leaves room to add more colors later.