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Add Text to GIF
Write captions on any animated GIF. Choose a font, size, color and outline, drag the text where you want it, and decide on which frames each caption appears. The animation keeps its timing, and nothing is uploaded.
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Captioned on your device. Your GIF is never uploaded.
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Drag a caption on the preview to move it. Captions only appear on the frames in their range.
Captions
Your captioned GIF is ready
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How to use the Add Text to GIF
- Add your GIF by dropping it in, choosing it or pasting it with Ctrl+V. A sample GIF is loaded so you can try it first.
- Type your caption in the Text box. Press Enter for a new line.
- Style it: pick a font, size, colors and outline, or turn on a background box.
- Place it with Top, Middle or Bottom, or drag the text on the preview. Use + Add caption for more text.
- Choose the frames: keep All, or step to a frame and press Start here / End here so the caption appears only for part of the animation.
- Press Add text to GIF and download the captioned animation.
Tips for readable GIF captions
- Use an outline or a box. GIF backgrounds change from frame to frame. White text with a black outline (or a dark background box) stays readable on any frame.
- Size about 10 to 15% of the height. Many GIFs are viewed small in chats. Text smaller than about 8% of the height often becomes unreadable.
- Keep it short. A caption should be readable within the time it is shown: roughly 3 to 4 words per second.
- Time your captions. Split a punchline into two captions with different frame ranges, like subtitles.
Caption size reference
The size slider sets the letter height as a percentage of the GIF's height, so captions look the same on small and large GIFs.
| GIF height | 8% (subtle) | 13% (default) | 20% (big meme) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200 px | 16 px | 26 px | 40 px |
| 270 px | 22 px | 35 px | 54 px |
| 360 px | 29 px | 47 px | 72 px |
| 480 px | 38 px | 62 px | 96 px |
How it works
The tool rebuilds every full frame of the GIF, draws your captions on the frames in each caption's range, and encodes a new GIF with the original delays and loop setting. Because the text adds smooth edges, a shared 256-color palette is computed for the whole animation, and only the parts of each frame that change are stored to keep the file small. For still pictures use Add Text to Image, or make a classic meme with the Meme Generator.
Frequently asked questions
How do I add text to an animated GIF?
Load the GIF above, type your caption, style and position it, and press Add text to GIF. The tool draws the text on every frame in the chosen range and saves a new animated GIF with the original frame delays.
Can I make text appear only on some frames?
Yes. Each caption has its own frame range. Step through the preview to the frame where the caption should start and press Start here, then go to the last frame and press End here. Add more captions for a sequence of lines, like subtitles.
How do I make classic meme text?
The default style is the classic meme look: a bold Impact-style font in white capital letters with a thick black outline, placed at the top or bottom. If your device has no Impact font, a similar bold sans-serif font is used.
Will adding text reduce the quality of my GIF?
A GIF can hold at most 256 colors. Smooth text edges add new colors, so the tool builds an optimized 256-color palette for the whole animation. For most GIFs the difference is not visible.
Can I use emoji in the caption?
Yes. Emoji are drawn with your device's emoji font, the same way they appear in the preview.
Is my GIF uploaded?
No. Decoding, drawing the text and encoding the new GIF all happen in your browser, so your file never leaves your device.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.
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