How to convert a GIF to APNG
- Choose, drop or paste one or more animated GIFs.
- Pick the size (or keep the original) and how many times it should loop.
- Watch the APNG play next to the GIF and check the size.
- Download APNG (saved as .png) or all as a ZIP.
What an APNG is and how the conversion works
APNG (Animated PNG) is a normal PNG file with extra chunks that hold more frames and their timing. Apps that don't understand animation simply show the first frame, which is why it keeps the .png extension. Unlike GIF it can store millions of colours and smooth 8-bit transparency, and it compresses with deflate, which usually beats GIF's LZW. This converter rebuilds every full frame of the GIF exactly as a browser shows it. If the whole animation uses 256 colours or fewer — true for almost every GIF — it writes a palette APNG with those exact colours and transparency; otherwise it writes full-colour RGBA frames. For each frame after the first it stores only the rectangle that changed since the frame before, with the original delay in milliseconds, and the loop count goes into the animation header. Nothing is re-coloured or blurred, so the APNG looks identical to the GIF. The whole process runs in your browser.
Facts at a glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Price | Free — no watermark |
| Sign-up | Not needed |
| Upload | None — converted in your browser |
| Output | Animated PNG, saved with the .png extension |
| Pixels | Copied exactly (palette APNG when ≤256 colours, full colour otherwise) |
| Size vs the GIF | Usually 5–10% smaller at the same size; see the examples below |
| Loop | Forever, once, or 2 / 3 / 5 / 10 times |
| Resize | Original, 75%, 50% or 33% |
| Batch | Yes — ZIP download |
When to use APNG instead of GIF
| Situation | Best format | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Sticker or emoji with soft, anti-aliased edges | APNG | Smooth transparency — no jagged white fringe |
| Website animation that must look pixel-perfect | APNG | Lossless, plays in every modern browser |
| Smallest possible file | Animated WebP | Lossy compression is much smaller |
| Email newsletters, old apps | GIF | The only animation every client plays |
| Pixel-art game sprite sheets for the web | APNG | Exact colours, no dithering |
Because the source is a GIF, converting can't add colours or smooth edges that weren't there — APNG's extra quality shows when you later edit or create animations in it. The gain you get right away is exact pixels in a slightly smaller file.
GIF to APNG converters compared
| Feature | This page | ezgif | FreeConvert | TinyWow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Where the GIF is processed | In your browser — never uploaded | Uploaded by default; local batch mode | Uploaded (deleted after 8 hours) | Uploaded (deleted after 1 hour) |
| File size limit | No fixed cap | 200 MB | 1 GB, more after sign-up | Not stated |
| Loop count | Yes | Not visible before upload | Not visible before upload | No |
| Resize | Yes | Separate tool | Not visible before upload | No |
| Batch + ZIP | Yes | Local batch mode | Yes | No |
| Preview with both sizes | Yes | After upload | No | No |
| Tool in the first screen | Yes | Yes | Yes | Below an ad block |
Competitor details are as shown on their own pages on 5 November 2026; tools change, so check before you rely on a feature.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert a GIF to APNG?
Choose the GIF here and press Download APNG. The animated PNG keeps every frame, the timing and the loop setting.
Is APNG better quality than GIF?
APNG can hold millions of colours and smooth transparency, but a conversion copies the GIF's pixels exactly, so it looks the same. The benefit is lossless storage in a usually smaller file, and room for higher quality when you edit later.
Is APNG smaller than GIF?
Usually a little: 5–10% on our examples, because deflate compresses better than LZW. Animated WebP is much smaller if exact pixels don't matter.
Why does the file end in .png?
An APNG is a valid PNG with extra animation chunks. Programs that don't support animation show the first frame instead of failing.
Which browsers play APNG?
Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari, on desktop and phones.
Is my GIF uploaded?
No. Everything is done in your browser.
Can I convert several GIFs at once?
Yes. Drop them all and use “All (ZIP)”.
Can I change how many times it loops?
Yes — forever, once, or 2, 3, 5 or 10 times.
Updated · By the imagetojpg.app team