Free tool
Add text to a GIF, free
Add a caption or label to any GIF or video, timed to exactly when it should show. Free, no watermark, nothing uploaded.
How to · 3 steps
Step by step
- 1
Open your GIF or video
Drop the file onto Lazygif, or open it.
- 2
Click Text
Click Text, type, drag it into place, and drag its block on the timeline to set when it shows.
- 3
Export
Pick a destination and export; the text is drawn into every frame.
Make text readable at GIF size
People see the GIF at its export width, not the editor’s. Edit a 1600 px recording and export at 640 px, and every letter shrinks to 40%.
- Aim for letters at least 16 px tall in the final GIF; 20 px for chat.
- Short, bold words survive shrinking and 256 colors; thin text breaks up.
- Keep each caption under about eight words, one at a time.
- Leave it up long enough to read twice: about a second per three words.
Text instead of sound
GIFs are silent, so a few words do the job of a voice-over. Pair them with arrows and numbered steps so the eye knows where to look.
| Platform | Max GIF size | Lazygif preset |
|---|---|---|
Slack | 1 GB | 640px · 15 fps · ≤ 9.2 MB |
Discord | 20 MB | 640px · 15 fps · ≤ 18.4 MB |
GitHub issues & PRs | 10 MB | 800px · 15 fps · ≤ 9.2 MB |
FAQ
Questions, answered
How do I add text to a GIF?
Open the GIF in Lazygif, click Text and type. Drag it into place, then export.
Can I make text appear only for part of the GIF?
Yes. Each text item has its own block on the timeline; drag its ends to set when it shows.
Why does my text look blurry in the exported GIF?
The GIF is probably exported much narrower than the canvas. Make the text bigger, export wider, or crop tighter.
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Make your first GIF now.
Record your screen or drop in a video. Free, no watermark, nothing uploaded.