YouTube to GIF

Why there is no "paste a YouTube link" box

YouTube's Terms of Service don't allow downloading videos except where YouTube offers a download button or link. Sites that grab videos from a URL do it on their servers, which also means your request goes through them. This converter only works on files already on your device.

Three legitimate ways to get the clip

1. It's your own upload. In YouTube Studio → Content, open the video's menu and choose Download. You get an MP4 of your video to drop in here.
2. The creator offers the file. Many creators link original clips or press kits. Use those.
3. Screen-record the moment for personal, fair use. iPhone: Control Centre → Screen Recording. Android: Quick Settings → Screen record. Windows 11: Snipping Tool → Record. macOS: Cmd+Shift+5. Record a few seconds either side of the moment, then trim here.

Making the GIF

1. Load the recording above. Screen recordings include the player UI and black bars, so use Crop & size with 16:9 to cut them off, and move the crop position until only the video shows.
2. Trim to 2 to 4 seconds. Reaction GIFs work because they're short.
3. Add a caption if the moment needs context, and a watermark crediting the channel is a nice touch.

Copyright, briefly

A short GIF of someone else's video can still infringe copyright. Short, transformative uses such as commentary or reaction are often treated as fair use in the US, but that is decided case by case and differs by country. Credit the source, keep it short, and don't use it commercially without permission.