Compress GIF for Discord
Pick where it's going, then drop the GIF. We squeeze it just enough to fit.
How to compress a GIF for Discord
- Pick where the GIF is going: Chat upload (20 MB), Animated emoji (256 KB) or Nitro Basic (50 MB).
- Drop the GIF on the box above, or tap it to choose one from your phone or computer.
- GIFCompact starts with the gentlest setting and gets stronger only until the GIF fits, showing the size of every try.
- Tap Download GIF, then drag it into a Discord chat, or add it under Server Settings, then Emoji.
Discord's GIF limits
Checked against Discord's own help center on November 3, 2026:
| What you post | Limit | GIF allowed? |
|---|---|---|
| File upload, free account | 20 MB per file | Yes |
| File upload, Nitro Basic | 50 MB | Yes |
| File upload, Nitro | Up to 1 GB | Yes |
| Custom emoji (static or animated) | Under 256 KB | Yes, GIF for animated |
| Sticker | 512 KB | No, animated stickers are APNG only |
Sources: File Attachments FAQ, How to Add Custom Emojis,Tips for Sticker Creators (Discord Support).
20 MB, not 10 MB
For years the free limit was 8 MB, then 10 MB, and many guides still say so. In August 2026 Discord raised it to 20 MB for accounts without Nitro, and started checking the size before its own compression instead of after, the same way on desktop and mobile. In practice that means a GIF needs to be under 20 MB as a file on your device. The Chat upload, 20 MB card above is selected by default: drop a GIF and it is brought under the limit with the gentlest setting that works. If your GIF is already small enough, it is only optimized losslessly, so it will not look any worse.
Making an animated emoji
Animated emojis are where most GIFs fail. The limit is 256 KB, a hundredth of the upload limit, and emojis are displayed tiny in chat. The Animated emoji, 256 KB card first fits the GIF into a 128 × 128 box, the size Discord shows emojis at their largest, then tightens compression, colors and size step by step until it fits. Each try and its size are shown while it works. For the best emoji:
- Crop to the face or the action before making the GIF. A full scene turns into a smudge at emoji size.
- Keep it short. One to two seconds of loop is plenty, and every frame costs bytes.
- If the result still does not fit, open Settings, then Advanced settings, and drop every second frame, then try the emoji size again.
To add it, open Server Settings, then Emoji, then Upload Emoji, and choose the downloaded GIF. Adding emojis needs the server's emoji permission.
What about stickers?
Discord stickers are a different format. Animated stickers must be APNG files of up to 512 KB, and GIFs are not accepted, so a GIF cannot be uploaded as a sticker no matter how small it is. If you want your GIF on the server, use it as an animated emoji or post it in a channel instead.
Why compress in the browser?
GIFCompact runs the compressor on your own device, using Gifsicle compiled to WebAssembly. Your GIF is not uploaded to us: the only upload is the one you make to Discord. There is no watermark, no account and no daily limit, and the compressed GIF keeps its original speed and loop. Want a caption on it first? Make it with the GIF Caption Maker, which has the same Discord buttons, or add meme text with Add Text to GIF and then come back here.
Frequently asked questions
What is Discord's file size limit for GIFs?
20 MB per file for accounts without Nitro, since August 2026. Nitro Basic allows 50 MB and Nitro up to 1 GB. A GIF counts as an image file, so the same limit applies.
Is the limit still 10 MB?
No. Discord raised the free limit from 10 MB to 20 MB in August 2026. Guides that still say 8 MB or 10 MB are out of date.
How small does an animated emoji have to be?
Under 256 KB. Discord accepts GIF for animated emojis, so a compressed GIF works directly. Emojis are shown small, so GIFCompact also fits them into a 128-pixel box.
Can I turn a GIF into a Discord sticker?
Not directly. Discord's animated stickers must be APNG files up to 512 KB; GIF is not accepted for stickers. Use the GIF as an emoji or post it in chat instead.
My GIF is under 20 MB but Discord still refuses it. Why?
Discord now checks the size before its own compression, and some servers or apps have stricter rules. Compress a little further, for example with the 10 MB size on the GIF Compressor, and try again.
Is my GIF uploaded to GIFCompact?
No. Compression runs in your browser. The only upload is the one you do yourself, to Discord.