Download X GIFs as a real .gif that loops, or as MP4
On X, a GIF is a short silent MP4 that plays in a loop. Paste the post link and you get two files: a real animated .gif rebuilt from that MP4 at full size, and the MP4 itself. Use the GIF where a video won't loop, and the MP4 when you want a small file.
- Real .gif, loops forever
- Untouched MP4 too
- Full size, own color palette
What X stores and what you get
You post a .gif and X keeps a silent looping MP4 flagged as an animated GIF. You can take either.
- Same size and frame rate
- Own palette, loops forever
- Several times heavier
- Not re-encoded
- No sound
- Small
How the GIF is built, and what the MP4 keeps
| GIF | Rebuilt from X's MP4 at its own size and frame rate, with a palette computed for that clip, looping forever |
|---|---|
| MP4 | The file X stores for the GIF, remuxed without re-encoding; no sound track |
| Video posts | A normal video gives a preview GIF: first 15 seconds, 480 px wide, 12 frames per second |
| Links | x.com, twitter.com and t.co post links |
| Accounts | Public posts only |
Pick the GIF or the MP4 from an X post
Copy the GIF post
Tap Share under the post with the GIF and Copy link. If the GIF is inside a reply, copy the reply's own link.
Let it spot the GIF
Paste the link in Safari, Chrome or any browser you opened yourself. We see that X stored the post as an animated GIF and prepare both rows.
Pick .gif or .mp4
Download GIF builds the GIF while it streams to you. Download MP4 gives you the file X stores, a few times smaller. Both are named twitter_ plus the post id.
On X, a GIF is really an MP4
When someone posts a GIF on X, the platform doesn't keep the GIF. It converts it into a short MP4 without sound, flags it as an animated GIF and plays it on a loop. That is why most downloaders hand you an MP4 and leave the conversion to you.
We do the conversion. Our engine reads that MP4, computes a palette of colors for that clip, and writes a GIF at the same size and frame rate, set to loop forever. It happens while the file streams to you, so a long GIF takes a few seconds before it finishes. The MP4 sits on the row below, untouched, for when you'd rather have the small file.
GIF or MP4: which one to keep
MP4 is sharper, carries millions of colors and is several times smaller, so it is the right file for reposting, editing or keeping. GIF is limited to 256 colors and grows quickly, but it plays anywhere an image plays: forums, emails, slides, older websites, chat apps that don't autoplay video.
One link gives you both files; pick the one you need.
GIFs from normal videos
A video post isn't a GIF on X, but it still gets a GIF row here: the first 15 seconds of the video, scaled to 480 pixels wide, at 12 frames per second, with its own palette. It is meant for reactions and quick loops. The full video, its MP3 and the details of video quality are on the Twitter video downloader.
File size, sound and sending X GIFs in chats
Why does X turn GIFs into MP4?
Because GIF is an old, heavy format: it stores every frame as a full picture with 256 colors at most. When you post a GIF, X converts it into a small MP4 without sound and plays it on a loop, so it still looks like a GIF while loading much faster.
Should I download the GIF or the MP4?
Take the GIF for places that only animate GIF files: some forums, emails, documents, older chat apps and sticker makers. Take the MP4 to repost it on a social network or edit it, because it is sharper and several times smaller.
Why is the GIF so much bigger than the MP4?
A GIF saves each frame whole, while MP4 saves only what changes between frames. A few seconds of GIF can weigh several megabytes. That is the format, not a fault in the conversion.
Can I turn a normal Twitter video into a GIF?
Yes, a short one. Paste a video post here or on the Twitter video downloader and the result includes a GIF row made from the first 15 seconds, 480 pixels wide, at 12 frames per second. For a longer or larger GIF, download the MP4 and use a video app that exports GIF.
Does the GIF have sound?
No. GIF can't carry sound, and X stores GIF posts without a sound track anyway. That is also why a GIF post has no MP3 row.
Where does the GIF go on my phone?
On iPhone, Safari puts it in Files, in Downloads; open it, tap Share and Save Image, and Photos plays it animated. On Android, Chrome saves it to the Download folder and the gallery shows it moving.
Can I paste a GIF straight into Discord or WhatsApp?
Yes, send the .gif file from your gallery or Files. Some apps convert it back into a video when they send it; that is the app's choice, not something in the file.