# GIF Frame by Frame: Split a GIF into Frames

> A free online tool that splits an animated GIF or WebP into PNG files, either all frames in one ZIP, one single frame, or a range of frames you choose.

Need a GIF frame by frame? This free GIF to Frames tool splits an animated GIF into one PNG file per frame, so you can open, edit or reuse each picture. Choose all frames, one frame or a range, then download the result. No signup is needed for the free web tool.

## Key facts

- Input: an animated GIF or WebP, up to 5 MB in the free tool and 10 MB when signed in, and up to 16 MP (4096 x 4096) per frame.
- Output: full-size PNG files named frame-001.png and so on, numbered by the frame's place in the original, stored in a ZIP without extra compression.
- A result over 20 MB is refused, not cut off; export a range of frames at a time for a long or large animation.
- In our test a generated 20-frame GIF of 240 x 180 px and 63 KB gave a ZIP of 95 KB, and frame 10 alone a PNG of 4.6 KB; the test animation was generated by our scripts and results vary.
- The upload is deleted when the job ends and the result after 10 minutes; signed-in users pay 1 credit per file plus 1 credit for each started 10 MP of frames beyond the first 10 MP.
- Free without an account: up to 10 conversions per minute and 50 per day per visitor, no watermark. Signed in, each render costs 1 credit (100 free credits every month).
- Files are deleted automatically: 10 minutes after conversion without an account, 1 day with a free account.
- Developers can run the same render with POST https://api.aiipworld.com/v1/render and an API key (see the API docs page).

## How it works

1. Upload your GIF file. The tool checks the file type, size and pixel count, and shows a preview.
2. Check the animation summary. It shows the number of frames, the playing time and the size.
3. Under "What to export", keep All frames, or pick One frame or A range of frames.
4. Click "Split into frames".
5. Download the result. All frames and ranges come as a ZIP of PNG files; one frame comes as a single PNG.

## How to split a GIF into frames

Splitting a GIF into frames takes a few steps. Upload the file, choose what to export, and run the split. The tool then gives you one PNG file for each frame, or a ZIP file that holds several.

The default setting is All frames, which returns a ZIP of PNG files. You can switch to a single frame or a range if you only need part of the animation. The summary line above the button tells you exactly what will be exported.

- Use All frames to get every frame in one ZIP.
- Use One frame to get a single PNG.
- Use A range of frames to get a ZIP of part of the animation.

## What this GIF to frames tool does

This tool takes an animated GIF and writes each frame out as its own image. The animation is decoded once into full frames, and each frame is saved as a PNG file. The PNG files are lossless, so the pixels are not changed by the export.

The tool is a GIF to frames converter. It does the job people look for as split GIF into frames, break GIF into frames or get the GIF frames as pictures. It is ordinary image processing on our server, not artificial intelligence. It does not add effects or change the picture.

## GIF frame by frame: all frames, one frame or a range

You can export a GIF frame by frame in three ways. All frames gives you every frame as a ZIP of PNG files. One frame gives you a single PNG from the frame number you type in. A range gives you a ZIP of PNG files for the first and last frame you set.

Use a range when the animation is long or large, because each result is then smaller. The summary line shows how many PNG files the range will create.

The tool does not offer a frame preview strip or a frame-by-frame viewer. You get the files and can view them in your own app.

## What the PNG files look like and how they are named

Each frame is a PNG file with the full picture at the same width and height as the GIF. Files are named frame-001.png, frame-002.png and so on. The number matches the frame's position in the original animation.

If you export frames 5 to 10, the files are frame-005.png to frame-010.png. The number has at least three digits. The ZIP stores the PNG files without extra compression.

- Each PNG shows the full frame at the GIF's size.
- File names keep the original order of the animation.

## Transparency in the frames

If your GIF has transparent areas, the PNG files keep that transparency. Each pixel in a GIF is either fully transparent or fully opaque. The PNG files show the same areas as clear.

Transparency depends on the source file. A GIF without transparent areas gives PNG files without them.

## The 20 MB limit and how to export in parts

A result larger than 20 MB fails with an "output too large" message. The tool does not return a cut-off ZIP. A long or large GIF produces many big PNG files, so the total can reach this limit.

The page warns you before you run the job when the animation has many pixels in total. If you see that warning, export a range of frames at a time. In the engine's own benchmark, a noisy test animation of 854 x 480 px with 100 frames reached the limit after 51 frames, and a screen-recording style test of 1280 x 720 px with 69 frames gave an 18.9 MB ZIP. Results vary with the file.

## Which frame numbers to use

Use the frame numbers shown by the tool. Frame numbers run from 1 to the total number of frames in the animation. The tool refuses a frame number that is outside this range.

For a range, set the first frame and the last frame. The first frame must be at or before the last frame. The file names keep the original frame numbers, so frame-005.png is always frame 5 of the animation.

## Limits for animations

Animations are checked from the file header before decoding. A signed-in user can export up to 300 frames, with a total of 64 MP (width x height x frames). Without an account, the limit is 100 frames and 16 MP in total.

Each single frame is limited to 16 MP (4096 x 4096). Over a limit, the job fails and any credits are returned. A signed-in job costs the base price of 1 credit per file. You get 10 megapixels of animation in that price. Each started 10 megapixels above that adds 1 credit.

- Without an account, the tool is free within the daily limit.
- Failed and timed-out jobs are refunded.

## Which files the tool accepts

The tool accepts animated GIF and animated WebP files. A PNG, JPG or other file is refused with a message that says so. The free web tool accepts up to 5 MB per file. Signed-in users can upload up to 10 MB per file.

Without an account you can split 30 files per day per visitor. Each frame can be up to 16 MP (4096 x 4096). A file that is not a real GIF or WebP is refused as an unsupported image, even if it has a .gif name. Results over 20 MB are refused as too large.

## Split a GIF into frames from code

Send a POST request to https://api.aiipworld.com/v1/image-jobs. Put the raw file bytes in the body. Do not send JSON or multipart form data. Set Content-Type to image/gif or image/webp.

Add op=gif_edit and action=frames to the query string. Authenticate with Authorization: Bearer `<API key>` or the x-api-key header. Send timeout_sec=60 (the maximum) for animations. The request returns 202 with a job_id, and you poll GET /v1/jobs/:id for the result.

The page shows a ready cURL, Node and Python example below the tool, and the example follows the settings you choose. For full details, see /docs/#image-jobs.

## Privacy: what happens to your file

Your file is sent to our server, where it is decoded and split. The uploaded file is used only to make the result. It is deleted as soon as the job ends, whether it succeeds or fails.

The result is deleted after 10 minutes in the free web tool. No history is kept. Download links are short-lived, so save your files when they are ready. You must have the right to use what you upload, as set out in our Acceptable Use Policy.

## Questions

### Can I split a GIF into frames for free?

Yes, the free web tool splits a GIF into frames without signup, within the daily limit of 30 files per visitor.

### How do I get one frame from a GIF?

Choose One frame under "What to export", type the frame number in the Frame number box, and click "Split into frames". You get a single PNG file.

### How are the frame files named?

Each file is named frame-001.png, frame-002.png and so on. The number matches the frame's position in the original animation, with at least three digits.

### Are the frames the full picture?

Yes. Each frame is a PNG file with the full picture at the GIF's width and height, not a cut-out part of it.

### Can I choose which frames to export?

You can export all frames, one frame, or one range from a first frame to a last frame. The tool does not take a list of separate frame numbers such as 2, 5 and 9.

### Why was my result refused as too large?

A result over 20 MB fails with an "output too large" message, because many large PNG files can add up to that size. Export a range of frames at a time to keep each result under the limit.

### Do the frames keep transparency?

Yes, if the GIF has transparent areas, the PNG files keep them. Each pixel is either fully transparent or fully opaque.

### Can I split an animated WebP into frames?

Yes, the tool accepts animated WebP as well as GIF. The same export options and frame names apply.

### Do I get the delay of each frame?

No, the ZIP does not include a per-frame delay file. If you need the delays, use the sprite sheet page with the JSON option.

### Why was my GIF refused as too long or too large?

The animation is checked against the frame limit and the total pixel limit for your account type. Over a limit, the job fails and any credits are returned. Signed-in users have higher limits than users without an account.

### How long is my file kept?

The uploaded file is deleted when the job ends. The result is deleted after 10 minutes in the free web tool.

### Can I split GIF files in code?

Yes. Send the raw file to the image jobs endpoint with op=gif_edit and action=frames. The docs at /docs/#image-jobs show the details, and the page shows ready cURL, Node and Python examples.

## Related

- [GIF to Sprite Sheet](https://aiipworld.com/tools/gif-to-sprite-sheet/index.md)
- [GIF Trimmer: Trim a GIF by Frame or Time](https://aiipworld.com/tools/gif-trimmer/index.md)
- [GIF Speed Decrease: Change the Speed of a GIF](https://aiipworld.com/tools/gif-speed/index.md)
- [GIF Cropper: Crop Animated GIF Files Online](https://aiipworld.com/tools/gif-cropper/index.md)
- [GIF to PNG: Convert Your GIF for Free](https://aiipworld.com/tools/gif-to-png/index.md)
- [GIF to JPG: Convert Your GIF for Free](https://aiipworld.com/tools/gif-to-jpg/index.md)

Page: https://aiipworld.com/tools/gif-to-frames/