Convert HDR to GIF

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What happens when you convert HDR to GIF?

GIF palette & alpha limits

Still GIF, up to 256 colours. Alpha below 50% becomes transparent; other pixels become opaque.

HDR to SDR

HDR is rendered to SDR using exposure and Reinhard tone mapping.

HDR

Source

HDR

Radiance HDR / RGBE

Compression: LosslessTransparency: NoMetadata: Radiance header, EXPOSURE, FORMAT

Radiance pictures with a shared exponent for high-dynamic-range lighting values.

Explore HDR format →

GIF

Target

GIF

Graphics Interchange Format

Compression: LosslessTransparency: YesMetadata: Comments, Application extensions

Indexed-colour images and simple frame animation. GIF uses LZW compression and palette-index transparency.

Explore GIF format →

Is HDR → GIF right for you?

Good choice when

GIF fits your delivery use: Simple palette animations.
A limited palette and binary transparency are acceptable.
You need an SDR delivery copy and can review its tone mapping.
You can validate the destination’s sample precision and colour interpretation.

Probably not when

You need smooth photographic gradients or partial transparency.
You need the original HDR range for relighting or grading.
You require identical samples without a defined colour and precision policy.

HDR to GIF conversion details

GIF palette & alpha limits: Still GIF, up to 256 colours. Alpha below 50% becomes transparent; other pixels become opaque.
HDR to SDR: HDR is rendered to SDR using exposure and Reinhard tone mapping.
Sample precision & colour: Pixel conversion only. Original EXIF, GPS, XMP and ICC profiles are not copied; processing uses 8-bit display pixels.
Metadata & colour: Pixel conversion only. Original EXIF, GPS, XMP and ICC profiles are not copied; processing uses 8-bit display pixels.
Compression: HDR: Lossless → GIF: Lossless HDR: RLE preserves stored RGBE bytes; RGBE quantization is not exact storage of arbitrary float RGB. The .hdr format is distinct from the general concept of HDR photography. GIF: LZW compression is lossless for the stored palette indices. Colour reduction before encoding is not lossless for an arbitrary RGB source.
Transparency: Transparency is replaced with white by default. Change the background in Advanced options.
Animation: Still image output. Animated files use only the first frame; animation is not preserved.
Colour depth: HDR: 32-bit RGBE / XYZE pixel → GIF: Up to 256 colours/table
HDR: HDR: Radiometric values
Dimensions: Rendered image dimensions are retained within the converter limits; this tool does not offer resizing. Orientation handling depends on the source decoder.
Metadata: Pixel conversion only. Original EXIF, GPS, XMP and ICC profiles are not copied; processing uses 8-bit display pixels.

Common questions

Why can GIF lose colours despite lossless compression?

Still GIF, up to 256 colours. Alpha below 50% becomes transparent; other pixels become opaque.

How will HDR brightness be mapped?

HDR is rendered to SDR using exposure and Reinhard tone mapping.

Are bit depth and colour values guaranteed to match?

Pixel conversion only. Original EXIF, GPS, XMP and ICC profiles are not copied; processing uses 8-bit display pixels.

Will metadata and colour profiles be retained?