How to Convert MP4 to Animated WebP (or APNG)
Turn a short MP4 or MOV clip into an animated WebP — full colour at a fraction of a GIF’s size — or an APNG, choosing the frame rate and width. No upload.
3 min read ·
To turn a video clip into an animated image, open the Video to Animated Image Converter, add an MP4 or MOV file, choose a preset such as MP4 to WebP (.webp), set the frame rate and the maximum width, and click Compile Animated Image. You get an animation that plays anywhere an image can — in chats, documentation and web pages — with no video player. It runs in your browser, so the video isn't uploaded.
Convert a clip step by step
- Trim the clip to the few seconds you need first — see below.
- Open the Video to Animated Image Converter and add the MP4 or MOV file.
- Choose a preset: MP4 to WebP, MOV to WebP, MP4 to GIF, MOV to GIF or MP4 to APNG.
- Set the Frame Rate (FPS) — 10–15 suits most clips.
- Set the Target Max Scale Width — 480 pixels is a good default.
- Click Compile Animated Image and save the result.
WebP, GIF or APNG?
| Format | Colours | File size | Plays in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Animated WebP | Full colour | Small | All modern browsers, many apps |
| GIF | 256 colours | Large | Everywhere, including old email clients |
| APNG | Full colour + transparency | Very large | Modern browsers |
Animated WebP is usually the best choice for websites and documentation: full colour at a fraction of a GIF's size. GIF is the safe choice for places that don't support WebP — some email clients, older chat apps and forums. APNG keeps every pixel perfect but makes big files, so it suits short, small animations where quality matters most.
Keep files small
Animated images get big fast. The biggest levers:
- Length: every second adds frames. Cut the clip to the essential moment with the Video Cutter before converting — 2 to 6 seconds is ideal.
- Width: halving the width cuts the file to roughly a quarter. 480 pixels is plenty for a chat or a documentation screenshot; 320 for a small reaction.
- Frame rate: 10–15 frames per second looks smooth for most content; 24–30 only for fast motion.
Uses for animated images
- Product demos on a website, where a short loop shows a feature without a video player.
- Documentation and tutorials: a looping animation of a few clicks explains more than a screenshot.
- README files and issue trackers, which display images but not videos.
- Chat reactions and stickers.
- Email newsletters: use GIF here, for compatibility.
Need more control over GIFs?
For GIFs specifically — trimming, adding captions, choosing colours and squeezing the size — Video to GIF and the GIF Compressor give finer control. Already have a GIF and want a smaller WebP? Use GIF to WebP.
On websites: consider a video instead
For longer or larger animations on your own website, a muted, looping, autoplaying MP4 video is often smaller than any animated image. Animated WebP shines for short loops and anywhere video isn't allowed.
Frequently asked questions
Is my video uploaded?
No. The conversion runs in your browser with ffmpeg compiled to WebAssembly. The first run downloads the video engine, which takes a moment.
Does WebP work on iPhone?
Yes. Safari and iOS support animated WebP, as do Chrome, Firefox and Edge.
Why is my animated image so big?
Too long, too wide or too many frames per second. Shorten the clip, reduce the width to 480 or less, and use around 12 fps.