# GIF Maker — Make an animated GIF from images on Mac

Turn photos, screenshots or drawings into an animated GIF, with the timing, size and loop you choose. Part of OneMacTools, 151 private tools in one native Mac app (macOS 26 or later); category: Images. Runs on your Mac; nothing is uploaded.

Drop images in the order they should play, or sort them by file name. Choose how long each frame shows, the width, the number of colours and whether it loops forever or plays once. The first image sets the shape and the rest are cropped to match.

Page: https://www.onemactools.com/tools/gif-maker · Download: https://www.onemactools.com/download · Pricing: https://www.onemactools.com/pricing

## How to use it
1. **Drop your images.** Add at least two images, one per frame: photos, screenshots or drawings. Add them in the order they should play, or sort them by file name.
2. **Set the timing.** Choose how long each frame shows, from 0.1 s for smooth motion to 2 s for a slideshow.
3. **Choose the size and colours.** Pick a width and the number of colours. Smaller widths and fewer colours make a smaller file.
4. **Choose how it plays.** Loop forever, or play once.
5. **Click Make GIF.** The GIF, called “Animation”, is saved in a dated folder in Downloads › OneMacTools. Use the Preview (eye) button to watch it.

## Options
- **Each frame shows for:** 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.5, 1 or 2 seconds; the default is 0.5 s. Every frame gets the same time.
- **Order:** As added keeps the order you dropped the files in. By file name sorts them the way Finder does, so “frame 2” comes before “frame 10”.
- **Width:** Same as the first image, or 1080, 800, 640, 480 or 320 px; the default is 640 px. The height follows the first image's shape.
- **Colours:** 256, 128, 64 or 32 colours per frame. Fewer colours make a smaller file; photos look best at 256 or 128, simple graphics are fine at 64 or 32.
- **Play:** Forever loops the animation, which is what most people expect from a GIF. Once plays it through and stops on the last frame.

## Tips
- Name the files in order (01, 02, 03…) and choose By file name, so you don't have to drop them one by one.
- Make the first image the shape you want. Every frame is cropped to fill the first image's shape, so mismatched images lose their edges.
- For screenshots and UI how-tos, 1 or 2 seconds per frame gives people time to read.
- Keep chat and email GIFs at 480 or 640 px wide. Width has the biggest effect on file size.
- If the GIF is still too big, shrink it with Compress & Resize GIF, or convert it to a much smaller video with GIF to MP4.

## Questions
**How do I make a GIF from pictures on a Mac?**
Drop two or more images onto GIF Maker, choose how long each frame shows and the width, and click Make GIF. The animated GIF is saved as a new file.

**Can I use photos of different sizes?**
Yes. The first image sets the shape and size; the others are cropped to fill it, so the animation stays clean.

**How do I change the speed of the GIF?**
Use “Each frame shows for”. 0.1 s gives quick, smooth motion; 1–2 s works like a slideshow.

**How do I make the GIF smaller?**
Lower the width and the number of colours. For the smallest file, convert it to video afterwards with GIF to MP4.

**Can I make a GIF that doesn't loop forever?**
Yes. Set Play to Once and the GIF is saved with a play count instead of an endless loop, so it stops on the last frame.

**How do I put the frames in the right order?**
Either drop them in the order you want and keep Order on As added, or name them in sequence and choose By file name.