What you need
The Opivv extension to record, and a Pro plan for the GIF export. Recording and getting a share link are free; turning a clip into a downloadable GIF (along with MP4 and WebM downloads) is a Pro feature at $5/month. If you would rather not export, a free Opivv share link plays the clip in the browser with sound, which a GIF cannot do.
Step by step
- Record a short clip. With the Opivv extension, capture just the moment you want to loop. GIFs are best kept short, so aim for a few seconds, not minutes.
- Open the recording in your library. When you stop, the clip lands in your Opivv library. Open it to review and, if needed, tidy it up.
- Trim to the key moment. Use the built-in editor to trim the start and end so the GIF is tight. A GIF that gets to the point loops better and stays small.
- Export as GIF. Choose Download, then GIF. Opivv turns the clip into an animated GIF you can drop into a README, a chat, or an issue.
- Drop it wherever you need it. GIFs autoplay and loop everywhere, so paste it straight into GitHub, Slack, Notion, or a doc. No player and no account required to view it.
Keep it short and silent
A GIF has no audio and every frame adds to the file size, so short wins. Under about fifteen seconds keeps the file small enough to load instantly in a doc or a chat. If your point needs sound or runs long, a share link is the better format.
Because there is no narration, let the actions speak. Move slowly and deliberately, and trim to the single motion you want people to see: the click, the toggle, the thing that breaks.
GIF or video link: which to use
Reach for a GIF when you want something that autoplays inline and needs no player: a bug repro in a GitHub issue, a tiny how-to in your docs, a reaction in Slack. Reach for an Opivv link when you need sound, a longer walkthrough, chapters, or to see who watched. Same recording, two ways to share it.
Common questions
How do I make a GIF of my screen?
Record a short clip with the Opivv extension, open it in your library, trim it to the key moment, then choose Download and GIF. You get an animated GIF you can paste anywhere, with no image editor involved.
Is turning a recording into a GIF free?
Recording and sharing a link are free. Exporting a clip as a GIF (or as MP4 or WebM) is a Pro feature at $5/month. If you do not need a file, a free share link plays the recording in the browser instead.
How long should a screen-recording GIF be?
Short. Aim for under about fifteen seconds so the file stays small and loads instantly in docs and chats. Trim to the single action you want to show before you export.
Will the GIF have a watermark?
No. Your recording is never watermarked into the video, so the exported GIF is clean. The small “Made with Opivv” badge only appears on free share pages, not in downloaded files.
Related: How to record your screen in Chrome · See Pro features · Try Opivv free