How to open a .gif file: without installing anything

How to open a .gif file

A .gif is a GIF file: 256 colours and animation. Plays absolutely everywhere, including where video cannot. Windows Photos, macOS Preview, GIMP, Photoshop, any browser open it. Or drop it below: it opens and converts in your browser, nothing to install.

Drop files here or click to chooseSeveral files at once are fine.

🔒 Nothing is uploaded. Check the Network tab of your browser: it stays empty.

Three ways to open it

Drop the .gif file above: it opens and converts right here, nothing to install.
For a desktop app: Windows Photos, macOS Preview, GIMP, Photoshop, any browser.
If it still will not open, convert it to PNG, that is what most people are really after.

Convert a .gif

GIF → PNG GIF → JPG GIF → WebP GIF → AVIF GIF → JPEG XL GIF → BMP GIF → ICO GIF → MP4

Questions

What program opens a .gif file?

Windows Photos, macOS Preview, GIMP, Photoshop, any browser. Or drop it here, without installing anything.

Why won't my .gif open?

Either the viewer does not know GIF (256 colours and animation. plays absolutely everywhere, including where video cannot.), or the file is damaged or misnamed. Converting to PNG fixes the first case.

Is it safe to open a .gif here?

Yes: the file is read in your browser and never leaves your device.