How to Edit GIF Frames (Delete, Reorder, Change Timing)
Delete, duplicate or reorder single frames in a GIF and change how long each one shows — to fix a loop, hold the punchline or slow one part. Free, no upload.
3 min read ·
To edit a GIF frame by frame, open the GIF Frame Editor and add the GIF. Every frame appears with its delay in milliseconds. Change a frame's delay to show it longer or shorter, use the buttons to move it earlier or later, duplicate it or delete it, or press Set all to give every frame the same timing. Watch the preview, then save the new GIF.
Edit frames step by step
- Open the GIF Frame Editor.
- Add the GIF (or an animated WebP or PNG).
- In the frame list, for any frame:
- Type a new delay in milliseconds — 100 ms shows it for a tenth of a second.
- Move it earlier or later to change the order.
- Duplicate it to repeat it (or to pause on it).
- Delete it.
- To change every frame at once, type a delay and press Set all.
- Watch the preview, adjust, then make the GIF and download it.
Common fixes
- A loop that stutters: often the last frame is the same as the first, so it shows twice in a row at the join. Delete the last frame.
- A punchline that flashes by: give the final frame a delay of 1500–2000 ms so people can read it.
- A pause before the loop restarts: raise the last frame's delay.
- A slow middle section: lower the delays of just those frames.
- A frame out of place (from a bad edit): move it to where it belongs.
- A glitch frame (a black or corrupted frame): delete it.
Understanding GIF timing
Each frame in a GIF has its own delay, stored in hundredths of a second:
| Delay | Frames per second | Feels |
|---|---|---|
| 20 ms | 50 | The fastest browsers honour |
| 40 ms | 25 | Video-smooth |
| 100 ms | 10 | A typical GIF |
| 500 ms | 2 | A slow slideshow |
| 2000 ms | — | A pause |
GIFs can't show a frame for less than 20 ms reliably: most browsers treat shorter delays as 100 ms, which makes a "fast" GIF suddenly slow. The editor keeps delays at 20 ms or more for that reason.
Change the overall speed
Set all gives every frame the same delay — the quickest way to make a whole GIF faster or slower when its frames are evenly timed. For GIFs with varied timing, the GIF Speed Changer scales every delay proportionally and keeps the rhythm.
Other frame jobs
- Cut a section from the start, end or middle: Cut GIF is quicker for removing a run of frames.
- Save frames as pictures: the GIF Splitter downloads frames as PNG or JPG.
- Play it backwards or as a boomerang: the GIF Reverser.
What's preserved
Each frame keeps its original pixels; only the colour palette is re-optimised when you save. Transparency is kept, and so is the loop setting (which you can change under the GIF options).
Privacy
The GIF is decoded and rebuilt in your browser — nothing is uploaded.
Frequently asked questions
Can I edit what's inside a frame — draw on it?
Not in this tool. Add text to frames with Add Text to GIF, or export a frame with the splitter, edit it, and rebuild the GIF with the GIF Maker.
Can I add new frames from other images?
To insert pictures or other GIFs, use Merge GIFs, which combines files in the order you choose.
Why did my file get smaller after editing?
The editor re-optimises colours and stores repeated frames efficiently, which often saves space.