Convert GIF to JPEG XL

The Graphics Interchange Format (GIF) is a bitmap image format developed by CompuServe in 1987, distinguished by its use of the Lempel-Ziv-Welch (LZW) lossless data compression algorithm. It supports up to 8 bits per pixel, allowing a palette of 256 distinct colors selected from the 24-bit RGB color space. The GIF89a specification, introduced in 1989, added support for transparent backgrounds, animation delays, and application extensions, establishing it as a standard for simple web animations and low-color graphics.

GIF files possess near-universal compatibility and can be opened natively by all modern web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) and default operating system viewers like Microsoft Photos and Apple Preview. No third-party software is typically required for viewing. For editing frame-by-frame animations or modifying color palettes, raster graphics editors such as GIMP, Adobe Photoshop, or online tools like Ezgif are required.

JPEG XL (.jxl) is a modern image format standardized as ISO/IEC 18181 in 2022 by the Joint Photographic Experts Group. It supports both lossy and lossless compression, high bit depth, HDR, wide color gamuts, transparency and animation, and typically produces files 30–60% smaller than JPEG at the same visual quality.

A distinctive feature is lossless JPEG recompression: an existing JPG can be converted to JPEG XL about 20% smaller and converted back to the exact original bytes.

Support is still growing. Safari (macOS Sonoma, iOS 17 and later) displays JPEG XL natively, and so do Photoshop, GIMP, Affinity Photo, darktable and IrfanView. Chrome and Edge removed their experimental support, and Firefox only offers it in Nightly builds, so convert JXL to JPG or PNG when you need an image that opens everywhere.