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Understanding GIF Color Limitations and How to Optimize Quality

Learn how GIF color limitations work and discover tips to improve image quality with smart resizing.

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Why GIFs Have a Limited Color Palette

The GIF format supports up to 8 bits per pixel, allowing each image to use a maximum of 256 colors from a predefined palette. If your design exceeds this limit—such as having more than 256 or 128 colors—the most frequently used colors will display correctly, while less common colors will be approximated through a process called dithering. Dithering blends colors using a pattern of dots to create the illusion of additional shades.

How to Improve GIF Image Quality

For higher-quality GIFs, especially when working with animations or detailed visuals, increasing your design’s resolution can make a noticeable difference.

  • Increase the size of your design up to 960px for better clarity.

  • This adjustment can be done either when you first create your design or later using the Smart Resize feature in the editor.

By optimizing your design size and being mindful of color limitations, you can ensure your GIFs look crisp and professional across all platforms.


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