Compress GIF for Discord
Discord caps uploads at 8MB on free accounts, and 500KB for custom emoji and stickers. Here is exactly how to compress a GIF for Discord and get it under the limit, with a private in-browser GIF compressor on the way.
Unlimited images, No File Size Limits.
Why use CompressImage.io to compress a GIF for Discord?
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No Limits
As the compression is happening in the Browser, there are no limits on how many images you can convert or what size of image you can convert.
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100% Private
Since no images are sent to any servers, your images are totally safe and private as no one else can see your images.
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Low Carbon Footprint
Since no servers are involved in the compression process, zero extra electricity is used, hence no carbon emitted.
How to Compress GIF for Discord
- 1
Know your Discord limit
Free accounts upload files up to 8MB. Custom emoji and stickers must be 500KB or smaller and 128 by 128 pixels. Nitro raises the general limit to 50MB or more.
- 2
Resize and trim the GIF
Shrink the dimensions, since 256px wide is plenty for chat, and cut the clip to just the part you need. A smaller canvas and fewer frames are the quickest way under 8MB.
- 3
Reduce colors or switch to video
Lower the color palette and frame rate for a smaller GIF. For longer clips, upload an MP4 instead. Discord plays inline video and it is far smaller than a GIF.
Discord’s upload limits at a glance
- Free accounts: 8MB per file
- Custom emoji and stickers: 500KB, shown at 128 by 128 pixels
- Nitro Basic: up to 50MB
- Nitro: up to 500MB
Almost every “my GIF will not upload” problem is either the 8MB cap or the strict 500KB emoji cap.
How to compress a GIF for Discord
- Resize the dimensions. For chat, 256px wide looks great and slashes the file size. For emoji you have to go to 128 by 128.
- Trim the clip. Keep only the frames that matter. Half the length is roughly half the size.
- Reduce colors and frame rate. Dropping to 64 or 128 colors and easing the frame rate shrinks the file with little visible loss.
- Use video for longer clips. Discord plays MP4 inline, and a video is far smaller than a GIF, which is the easiest path under 8MB for anything longer than a couple of seconds.
A Discord-ready GIF tool is coming
We are building a private, in-browser GIF compressor with presets for Discord’s 8MB and 500KB limits. No uploads, no limits, same as the rest of CompressImage.io. Until then, the steps above will get most GIFs under the cap.
See also Compress GIF for general GIF reduction, or the image optimizer for still images.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Discord's GIF size limit?
Free Discord accounts upload files up to 8MB. Custom emoji and stickers are capped at 500KB and 128 by 128 pixels. Discord Nitro raises the general limit to 50MB, and higher on some tiers.
How do I get a GIF under 8MB for Discord?
Resize the dimensions, trim it to the essential frames, and reduce the color palette. For longer animations, upload an MP4 instead. Discord plays it inline and it is usually a fraction of the size of a GIF.
How do I make a GIF a Discord emoji?
Animated emoji must be 500KB or smaller and show at 128 by 128 pixels. Resize the GIF to 128 by 128 and cut frames and colors hard to fit under 500KB. Animated emoji need a server with the right boost level or Nitro.
Can I just upload a video instead of a GIF?
Yes, and you usually should. Discord plays MP4 and WebM inline in chat, and they are 5 to 10 times smaller than the same animation as a GIF, which makes the 8MB limit easy to hit.
Will CompressImage.io have a Discord GIF tool?
Yes. A browser-based GIF compressor with Discord-friendly presets is in development. It will run entirely in your browser with no uploads, like all our tools.