GIF Image — Palette-based image format supporting simple animation.
Quick facts
What is .gif
A .gif file is a GIF Image — Palette-based image format supporting simple animation.
In the mime-db registry it maps to image/gif, and it is marked as non-compressible. When serving .gif over HTTP, set the Content-Type header as shown in Developer info below.
Related entities: it maps to image/gif — and is delivered over HTTP via the Content-Type header.
How to open .gif files
Developer info
When served over HTTP, responses should set the following header:
Content-Type: image/gif
Common software that reads/writes .gif:
Relation chain
Related extensions
Related MIME types
Common uses
How to edit .gif files
How to create .gif files
Frequently asked questions
Common options include Photoshop, GIMP, Chrome. You can also open many of these files with built-in viewers or a browser.
Create a new file in any text editor or the app that owns the format and save it with the .gif extension.
image/gif is the media type identifier used for .gif files during network transfer (for example in the HTTP Content-Type header).
Sources & standards
Updated 2026-08-18
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