File extension GIF is used for image files encoded in GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) format. A GIF sample file is provided. Free GIF editors are listed.

File Extension: .GIF

MIME Type: image/gif

File Content: Image data.

What is GIF? GIF is a short name for Graphics Interchange Format, which is a very popular format for storing images. GIF was invented by CompuServe in 1987.

GIF is the file extension for files storing images encoded in GIF format.

GIF format supports 256 (8-bit) distinct colors per pixel. Those 256 colors are selected from a 24-bit RGB color space and defined per image frame.

GIF format supports animations by storing multiple image frames.

GIF format uses the Lempel-Ziv-Welch (LZW) compression algorithm to reduce the file size. LZW compression is a lossless algorithm. Therefore, the compressed file still maintain all original color information on each pixel.

Here are the first 64 bytes of a sample GIF file dumped in HEX values:

47 49 46 38 39 61 a0 01 38 01 f7 00 00 00 00 00 GIF89a..8.......
80 00 00 00 80 00 80 80 00 00 00 80 80 00 80 00 ................
80 80 80 80 80 c0 c0 c0 ff 00 00 00 ff 00 ff ff ................
00 00 00 ff ff 00 ff 00 ff ff ff ff ff 00 00 00 ................

"GIF89a" seems to be the file marker for GIF files.

GIF sample file: Click sample.gif to download.

Image data stored in GIF files can be retrieved, displayed or edited by many free software:

• GIMP - Edits GIF files and other image files. An open source software.
• Paint.NET - Edits GIF files and other image files.
• PC Image Editor - Edits GIF files and other image files.