There is no universal best GIF size. The right dimensions depend on where the animation will appear, how much detail it contains, and how strict the file-size target is. Start from the displayed size rather than exporting a large master for every destination.
Practical starting dimensions
- Reactions and chat: roughly 320–480 pixels wide is often sufficient.
- Article illustrations: 480–800 pixels wide can preserve interface detail.
- Square posts: use a 1:1 canvas only when the subject fits without excessive empty space.
- Vertical demonstrations: crop tightly; tall GIFs become expensive quickly.
These are starting points, not platform limits. Requirements can change, so verify the destination before publishing.
Aspect ratio versus dimensions
Aspect ratio describes shape; dimensions describe pixel count. A 1:1 GIF can be 300×300 or 1200×1200, with a very different file size. Preserve the source ratio when scaling unless cropping is intentional. Use Crop & Resize GIF to set an exact width while maintaining proportion.
Crop or resize?
Resize when the whole frame is useful but too large. Crop when empty space or an unimportant edge consumes pixels. Cropping can improve both focus and compression because every remaining pixel contributes to the subject.
How dimensions affect file size
Doubling both width and height creates four times as many pixels per frame. That is why dimension reduction is often more effective than aggressive quality loss. After resizing, use the GIF Compressor and check the broader GIF size and settings guide.
Before exporting
- Preview at the size where people will actually see it.
- Check that captions remain readable.
- Remove transparent or blank margins.
- Keep a larger source copy for future destinations.