An animated gif is a .gif image file composed of multiple images that play on a loop. Unlike videos, animated gif files do not include sound and do not require the viewer to press play.
Recommended File Size Animated Gifs
No Transcoding: We recommend keeping animated MMS image files under 600 KB.
Sinch Transcoding: We recommend keeping animated MMS images files under 740KB
Note: When transcoding an animated gif, we will reduce the dimensions of the animated gif by 25% and 50%. We will also apply compression to the animated gif. The results of this compression will vary based on the number of colors and compression you have already applied to your source animated gif.
Recommended File Dimensions Animated Gifs
Recommended Dimensions (Portrait/Vertical)
480px wide by 720px tall (a little animation)
480px wide by 640px tall (a lot of animation)
Recommended Dimensions (Square)
640px wide by 640px tall (a little animation)
480px wide by 480px tall (a lot of animation)
Animated GIFs are displayed too large on iOS v13 – 13.4 unless the width is 320px or less. This issue is fixed in 13.5.
Image Design Considerations for Animated MMS Images
480px by 720px: Avoid placing content of interest in the 39px at the top, right, and bottom of the gif. Also avoid the adding such content in the 44px on the left side of the gif.
480px by 640px: Avoid placing content of interest in the 65px at the top, and the 58px at the bottom of the gif. Also avoid the 39px to each side of the gif.
640px by 640px: Avoid placing content of interest in the 52px at the top, right, and bottom of the gif. Also avoid the adding content in the 58px on the left side of the gif.
480px by 480px: Avoid placing content of interest in the 39px at the top, right, and bottom of the gif. Also avoid the adding such content in the 43x on the left side of the gif.
Additional best practices for Animated MMS Images
- Keep the animation short and repeat it.
- Lower your Frames Per Second (FPS). A higher frame speed means that you are adding more content to each second which will increase the file size. While a video may have 24-30 FPS, we recommend keeping animated gifs in the 2-4 range depending on the length of the content.
- Limit the number of colors used in your file.
- Animated images should always be saved and uploaded as .gif files.
- Do not include any transparent aspects in your file. Transparency will be filled in with another color by the phone.
- We recommend that before sending this to your list, you send a test of your MMS to yourself to ensure high image quality.
Visit the Sinch MMS product page to learn more.
