Can You Upload GIFs to Instagram? Answer Inside 🔓

GIFs have become the unsung heroes of digital communication. These looping snippets perfectly capture emotions that words just sometimes can't express. But when it comes to Instagram, things get a bit tricky. If you're wondering, "Can you upload GIFs to Instagram?" – you should continue reading.

We'll unravel the mysteries of posting GIFs on Instagram, from feed posts to Stories, comments, and DMs. We'll cover the workarounds, the limitations, and all the creative ways you can bring GIF magic to your Instagram presence.

Can you post a GIF on Instagram?

Instagram doesn't natively support uploading GIF files directly to your feed. But don't close this article just yet! While you can't upload a .gif file format directly, there are several ways to share GIF-like content on Instagram.

The key thing to understand is that Instagram treats GIFs differently across its various features:

• Instagram feed posts: You cannot upload a GIF file directly, but you can convert it to a video and then upload it. We'll explain how to do that later in this article.
• Instagram Stories: You can add GIF stickers from GIPHY but can't upload GIF files directly.

• Instagram DMs: You can send GIFs via the built-in GIF search.

• Instagram comments: You can post GIFs from GIPHY in the comments using the GIF icon.

How to post a GIF on Instagram with GIPHY

GIPHY integration is the easiest way to share GIFs on Instagram. Here's how to use it on both mobile and desktop.

On mobile

1. Download the GIPHY app if you haven’t already.
2. Search for the perfect GIF to post.

3. Tap the paper airplane icon in the bottom right corner.

4. Hit the Instagram icon from the sharing options.

5. Choose where to post—Messages (DMs), Reels, or Stories. Unfortunately, GIPHY doesn't support sharing GIFs directly to your Instagram feed. If you want to post a GIF to your feed, download the GIF from Giphy, convert it to a video format (like MP4), and then upload it to your Instagram feed. 

6. This opens Instagram, where you can trim the video and add text, stickers, or effects to spice up your GIF.

7. Tap the ‘Your Stories’ tab, and your GIF is live!

👉 If you're unsure whether to post that GIF in a Story or a Reel, knowing the differences can help you maximize reach. Our guide breaks down which one drives more engagement so you can choose the best format for your content: Instagram Reels vs. Instagram Story.

On desktop

To post a GIF from GIPHY:

1. Head to GIPHY’s website and log in (you’ll need an account for this on desktop).
2. Find the GIF you want to post.

3. Download the GIF by saving it to your computer as a .gif file.

4. Next, convert the GIF into a video. You can use a free online tool like Ezgif.

5. Afterward, just upload it to Instagram like a regular video post!

Can you upload your own GIFs to Instagram?

Unfortunately, Instagram doesn't allow users to upload their own GIF files directly, whether to your feed, Stories, or anywhere else on the platform. Instagram only accepts image formats (JPEG, PNG) and video formats (MP4, MOV) for upload.

However, there are two main workarounds if you want to share your personal GIFs:

1. Convert your GIF to video: Transform your GIF file into a video format that Instagram accepts (usually MP4). This preserves the animation while making it compatible with Instagram's requirements.
2. Create a GIPHY account: If you want to use your GIFs as stickers in Stories, you can upload them to GIPHY. Once approved (which may take some time for new accounts), your GIFs could appear in your Instagram's sticker search.

How to turn a video into a GIF for Instagram

If you have a video that you want to give that GIF-like quality, here are the steps:

1. Choose a GIF creation tool: Apps like GIPHY Cam, ImgPlay, or sites like Ezgif can convert video clips to GIFs. For the sake of this demonstration, I will use Ezgif to turn this video into a GIF:

2. Upload your video: Select the video file from your camera roll or computer.

3. Edit your GIF: Most tools allow you to trim the video, adjust the speed, crop, or add text.

4. Save your GIF: Download the file to your device.
5. Convert back to video for Instagram: Since you can't upload the GIF file directly to Instagram, you must use a conversion tool to change it back to MP4 format. My video came out like this:

6. Now, you can go ahead and post your GIF-like video to your Instagram account.

🛎️ If you're wondering about the best post sizes to keep your content looking sharp, we've got you. Check out our guide for the latest Instagram post sizes so your content always looks crisp, professional, and perfectly optimized.

How to post a GIF on an Instagram Story

Instagram Stories offers the most straightforward way to use GIFs through the platform's GIPHY integration. Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Open the Instagram app and swipe right to access the Stories camera.

2. Take a photo or video or select one from your camera roll.

3. Tap the sticker icon at the top of the screen.

4. Select the GIF search icon.

5. Use the search bar to find the perfect GIF.

6. Tap on your chosen GIF to add it to your Story. Adjust the size and position by pinching and dragging. You can even add multiple GIFs to a single Story if desired. When done, tap ‘Your Stories’ to share it with your followers.

Instagram Stories also offers a ‘Create’ mode where you can use a GIF as the background of your Story:

1. Swipe right on your Instagram feed again to access Stories; you will see a ‘Create’ tab.

2. Tap the sticker icon.

3. Search for and select a GIF. The GIF will become the background of your Story, and you can add text, stickers, or drawings as desired.

How to send a GIF on Instagram DM

Sending GIFs in Instagram direct messages is one of the easiest ways to use GIFs on the platform. Here’s what you do:

1. Tap the paper airplane icon in the top right corner to access your DMs.

2. Tap on an existing conversation or start a new one by tapping on the top right corner pencil icon.

3. Tap the sticker icon in the message field and then select ‘GIF’ on iOS. On Android, tap the [+] icon and then select ‘GIF.’

4. Search for a GIF using the search bar and tap on your chosen one to send it instantly.

How to post a GIF on Instagram comments

Adding GIFs to comments is a feature that Instagram introduced to make comment sections more interactive. Here’s how you can join in on the fun:

1. Go to the post where you want to comment and tap the speech bubble.

2. Tap the sticker icon on the comment field's right side.

3. Search for a GIF using the search bar and select your GIF by tapping on it.

4. The GIF will automatically be added to your comment.

FAQs

The internet’s been asking, and we’re answering! Here are some of your biggest questions about uploading GIFs to Instagram:

Can I upload a GIF as a post on Instagram?

No, you cannot directly upload a GIF file as a post on Instagram. The platform doesn't support the .gif file format for feed Instagram posts. However, you can convert your GIF to a video format (like MP4) and upload that instead. The video will play automatically and can loop, giving a similar effect to a GIF. 

Use third-party apps like GIPHY Cam and ImgPlay, or sites like Ezgif to convert your GIFS.

Can I post a GIF from my camera roll on Instagram?

You cannot post a GIF file from your camera roll directly to Instagram. If you have GIFs saved in your camera roll, you'll need to first convert them to video format using conversion apps like ImgPlay, GIPHY Cam, or online tools like Ezgif. After conversion, you can upload the video file to Instagram, which will function similarly to a GIF.

Why can't I post GIFs on Instagram?

Instagram was initially designed as a photo-sharing app and later expanded to include videos with specific format requirements. The platform has chosen to support specific file types (JPEG, PNG for images, and MP4, MOV for videos) that work best with their compression algorithms and display features. 

Instead of allowing direct GIF uploads, Instagram partnered with GIPHY to offer GIF functionality through stickers and in-app search, giving users access to a curated library of GIFs while maintaining control over their platform's performance and user experience.