Use Lanczos scaling, which our tool applies automatically. Lanczos is a high-quality resampling algorithm that preserves edge sharpness and minimizes blur when changing dimensions. For best results: (1) Only downscale (make smaller), never upscale, (2) Maintain aspect ratio to avoid distortion, (3) Use whole-number scale factors when possible (e.g., 50%, 25% rather than 37%), (4) After resizing, apply palette optimization to maintain color fidelity.

Discord emoji: 128x128 or 256x256 pixels (1:1 square). WhatsApp: 720px width maximum, maintain aspect ratio. Twitter: 720px width for posts, keep under 5MB. Instagram: 1080x1080 (square) for posts, 1080x1920 (9:16) for stories. Reddit: 720-1080px width. Email: 480-640px width for compatibility. Our platform presets automatically apply the optimal dimensions for each service.

Yes, in most cases. Maintaining aspect ratio prevents distortion and stretching. The only exception is when you specifically need a different aspect ratio (e.g., cropping a landscape GIF to square for Instagram). If you need to change aspect ratio, crop first, then resize - don't stretch. Our tool has a 'Lock Aspect Ratio' option enabled by default to prevent accidental distortion.

Yes! Percentage scaling is often easier - just enter 50% to make your GIF half size, 75% for three-quarters size, etc. This is particularly useful when you want proportional scaling without calculating exact dimensions. Percentage scaling automatically maintains aspect ratio and is ideal for batch processing or when you don't know the target platform's exact requirements.

Resizing reduces file size because smaller dimensions mean fewer total pixels to store and compress. A 1000x1000 GIF has 1 million pixels per frame, while a 500x500 version has only 250,000 pixels - 75% reduction in pixel data. This directly translates to smaller file sizes. For maximum savings, resize first, then compress - this yields 18-23% better compression ratios than compress-then-resize.

They're essentially the same thing - both change the pixel dimensions of your GIF. 'Resizing' typically refers to setting exact dimensions (e.g., 800x600 pixels), while 'scaling' often means using a percentage or ratio (e.g., 50% of original). Both use the same underlying resampling algorithms (like Lanczos) to recalculate pixel values at the new size.

Unfortunately, upscaling always reduces quality. When you enlarge a GIF, the software must invent new pixels that didn't exist in the original - this causes blur and pixelation. Even advanced algorithms like Lanczos can't add detail that wasn't there originally. If you need a larger GIF, try to obtain the original high-resolution source instead of upscaling. If you must upscale, limit it to 125-150% maximum and accept that quality will degrade.

No, resizing only changes pixel dimensions, not timing. Your GIF will play at the same speed with the same frame rate after resizing. The number of frames, frame delays, and loop settings are all preserved. Only the pixel width and height change. If you also want to adjust animation speed or reduce frame count, you'll need to use additional optimization tools.

Absolutely. All resizing happens locally in your browser using WebAssembly - your GIF never leaves your device. We don't upload, store, or access your files on any server. The entire process runs on your computer, and all data is deleted from browser memory when you close the page. This is true privacy-first processing with zero data retention.