Convert GIF images to high-quality PNG — instantly and free.
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GIF is limited to 256 colors per frame, while PNG supports 24-bit color (millions). Converting GIF to PNG removes the color limit — useful for graphics that need richer color or smooth gradients.
GIF was designed in 1987 with a strict 256-color limit per frame. PNG, standardized in 1996, supports 24-bit color (millions of colors) with lossless compression and 8-bit alpha transparency. If you have a GIF graphic that needs smoother gradients, richer color, or softer transparency, PNG is the correct modern target. The trade-off: PNG doesn't support animation.
| Attribute | GIF | PNG |
|---|---|---|
| Developer | CompuServe (1987) | PNG Group (1996) |
| Color depth | 8-bit (256 colors) | 24-bit (millions) |
| Compression | LZW (lossless) | DEFLATE (lossless) |
| Transparency | 1-bit (single color) | 8-bit alpha |
| Animation | Supported | Not supported (APNG for animation) |
| Compatibility | Universal since 1987 | Universal since 1996 |
| Best for | Simple graphics, animations | Rich graphics, transparency, editing |
| Input format | GIF, GIF87a, GIF89a |
| Output format | PNG (Portable Network Graphics) |
| Color depth | 24-bit (millions of colors) |
| Compression | Lossless (zlib) |
| Transparency | Expanded to 8-bit alpha |
| Animation | Only first frame preserved |
| Max file size | 50 MB per file |
| Batch processing | Supported |
| File retention | Auto-deleted after conversion |
The converter reads the first frame of the GIF image, decodes its 256-color palette, and writes it as a lossless PNG using the RGBA color model. GIF's single-color transparency is expanded to PNG's 8-bit alpha channel. The output preserves the exact pixels of the first frame.
PNG output is lossless — the first frame of the GIF is preserved exactly. Colors are the same as the source, but PNG supports richer color and softer transparency if needed. Because GIF is limited to 256 colors, the PNG may not look dramatically different for existing images, but it's now in a modern format that can be edited freely.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-01