GIF file extension. How to open and convert files with GIF file suffix

Files with gif extension are one of the most common bitmap image file formats available on the Internet. Maximum number of colors is 256. This format supports also simple animations and is widely used for banners or fun animations.

Detailed description

Software that open gif file

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GIF file extension - Graphics interchange file format

What is gif file? How to open gif files?

File type specification:

Bitmap image file type

Internet related file type

gif file icon:

File extension gif is commonly used for Graphics interchange file format.

GIF is standard bit-mapped graphics file format very widespread on Internet, which was originally developed by CompuServe in the late 1980s. The format supports 256 (216-on IBM-based monitors) levels of color.

MIME types:
image/gif
image/x-xbitmap
image/gi_

Updated: January 5, 2025

The default software associated to open gif file:

IrfanView

Company or developer:
Irfan Skiljan

IrfanView is a freeware image viewer for Microsoft Windows with support for many graphic formats and easy to use user interface, first released in 1996. Since then it grew to a very popular software with millions of users that is available in almost 30 languages.

Adobe Photoshop

Company or developer:
Adobe Systems Incorporated

Adobe Photoshop is great photography editing software that offers numerous features, powerful tools and other breakthrough capabilities to offer users maximum image editing performance. The default file format used by Adobe Photoshop is PSD.

The latest version, Photoshop CC is available through the Adobe Creative Cloud subscription service. The previous version was Photoshop CS6.

XnView MP

Company or developer:
Pierre-Emmanuel Gougelet

A free (for non-commercial purposes) powerful cross-platform media browser, viewer and converter. Compatible with more than 500 formats and also supports export to 70 different file formats. It works on Windows, Linux and macOS (OS X).

Create embroidery from photo or picture

Turn any YouTube video to an animated GIF

Comparison of PNG and JPEG file formats

Help how to open:

You can open *.gif file in any graphics editor.

How to convert:

Almost all current graphic or picture editors can export GIF format to another bitmap format.

Find conversions from gif file:

Find converter to gif file type:

File identification strings:

HEX code: 47 49 46 38
ASCII code: GIF8

List of software applications associated to the .gif file extension

Recommended software programs are sorted by OS platform (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android etc.)
and possible program actions that can be done with the file: like open gif file, edit gif file, convert gif file, view gif file, play gif file etc. (if exist software for corresponding action in File-Extensions.org's database).

Hint:
Click on the tab below to simply browse between the application actions, to quickly get a list of recommended software, which is able to perform the specified software action, such as opening, editing or converting gif files.

Software that open gif file - Graphics interchange file format

Programs supporting the exension gif on the main platforms Windows, Mac, Linux or mobile. Click on the link to get more information about listed programs for open gif file action.