How Frame Rate Affects GIF Size and Smoothness
Sourabh Choraria7 min readFrame rate (FPS) is the hidden GIF tax. Push FPS too high and your file size explodes. Push it too low and your GIF looks like a slideshow. The sweet spot depends on what you're making and where it's going.
Here's the practical way to pick FPS — with a quick calculator and a few rules that actually hold up in the real world.
Frame rate → size & smoothness
FPS controls how many frames your GIF has. More frames usually means a smoother loop — and a bigger file. Use this to pick a sane FPS before you export, then finish with Compress GIF.
Result
Frames
60 → 36
Size multiplier (rough)
60%
Assuming same resolution/colors.
Smoothness (relative)
60%
Recommended FPS by content
Flat animations / memes: 10–15 FPS
Smooth enough for most loops without ballooning file size.
If you already have a GIF and need to change its timing (reduce FPS), use Edit GIF to adjust frame delays / drop frames — then compress the result.
Why FPS affects size so much
A GIF stores image data for every frame. If you keep duration and resolution the same, doubling FPS usually means ~2× the frames. More frames = more chances for pixels to change = more bytes.
A simple mental model (good enough)
If everything else stays the same, GIF size often scales roughly with frame count:
- 10 FPS → 5 FPS ≈ ~50% fewer frames (often much smaller)
- 12 FPS → 24 FPS ≈ ~2× frames (often way bigger)
It won't be exact (compression is messy), but it's a reliable direction.
Recommended FPS ranges
- Screen recordings / UI: 8–12 FPS (clear + smaller)
- Memes / flat animation: 10–15 FPS
- Photo-like motion: 10–15 FPS (and consider video instead of GIF if you need ultra smooth)
How to shrink a GIF fast (in the right order)
If you're optimizing for size, do it in this order:
- Reduce resolution (biggest lever)
- Lower FPS (fewer frames)
- Reduce colors (smaller palette)
- Increase lossy (last-mile shrinkage)
Quick tip
If your GIF contains small text (screen recordings), FPS isn't the main problem. Resolution and dithering usually are. Lower FPS a bit, but prioritize keeping text readable.
Try it: compress your GIF
Drop your GIF below and tweak settings in Compress GIF. If you also need to change FPS, run it through Edit GIF first, then compress.
Drop your GIF here
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GIF files only
Frequently asked questions
Usually, yes—fewer frames means less data. But the exact reduction depends on how much each frame changes, the color palette, dithering, and compression. Think “roughly proportional” as a rule of thumb, not a guarantee.
10–15 FPS is a great default. It looks smooth enough for most loops without ballooning file size. For screen recordings, 8–12 FPS is often better (clearer + smaller).
A GIF stores image data for every frame. Doubling FPS usually means ~2× the frames for the same duration, which often pushes the file size up dramatically.
Yes. Use Edit GIF to drop frames or increase frame delays, then compress the output. If you control the source (video/images), it’s best to set FPS before exporting.
They all matter, but resolution is often the biggest lever, then FPS, then colors. If you need aggressive size cuts, reduce resolution first, then lower FPS, then reduce colors / increase lossy compression.