Animated GIFs in Email: How to Add a GIF into Outlook and Gmail Email

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Animated GIFs in Email: How to Add a GIF into Outlook and Gmail Email

Last Updated: 2026. 03. 06

Summary

Don't know how to insert a GIF into your email message? Look no further. In this article, we'll take Outlook and Gmail as examples to show you how to put an animated GIF in an email.

Animated GIFs play an essential role in email marketing, and they are usually funny and interesting, which can help you attract and amuse your recipients. Besides, they can present your products to customers in a visual way and increase your click-through rate.

Then how to add an animated GIF to your emails?

Here, we'll take the most commonly used Outlook and Gmail as examples to show you how to insert a GIF into an email. Let's get started.

How to put a GIF in an email:

Part 1 How to Add Animated GIF to Outlook Email

Part 2 How to Add Animated GIF to Gmail Email

Part 3 How to Find the Perfect GIF for Your Email

Also Read: Ultimate Guide to Embed Video in Email

Part 1 How to Add Animated GIF to Outlook Email

In Outlook, it's pretty simple to add an animated GIF to your email. Below, we'll show you how to add a GIF to Outlook email.

Step 1

Launch Outlook and sign in to your account.

Step 2

Compose a new email message or open a previous conversation.

Step 3

Select Insert, then Pictures (From File) to add a local GIF. Here, you'll be able to browse your computer for files.

Image Board: Add Local GIF Into Outlook Email

Add an online GIF to Outlook Email

If you haven't got your GIF file ready, you can also add an online GIF to your Outlook email, click the Online Pictures button, and open the Bing Images page, where you can search for the GIF you need.

Image Board: Add Online GIF Into Outlook Email

Part 2 How to Add Animated GIF to Gmail Email

Now, let's check how to add awesome animated GIFs in your Gmails.

Step 1

Sign in to your Gmail and click the Compose button to create a new email, and fill in the recipient and subject of the email.

Step 2

Click the photo icon at the bottom of the Compose window.

Image Board: Add GIF Into Gmail Email

Step 3

Now, you can add your GIF. Drag and drop here under the "Upload" tab, insert a web address, or choose a GIF from your local files.

Step 4

Select the Inline option (not as As Attachment) to ensure the GIF displays in your email, then click Insert. And you're done!

Part 3 How to Find the Perfect GIF for Your Email

There are a few ways you can find GIFs, using Giphy.com or simply by Googling it. Simply head to the website, and you can browse trending GIFs.

However, if you want to make the GIF more attractive and funnier, or make your own GIF from a video or images, FlexClip can help you a lot with a powerful AI GIF generator to bring your visions into reality. No editing experience or software download is required!

Let's see how to make and edit GIFs with FlexClip using AI.

Create Creative GIF from Text

Craft Animated GIF from Photo

1) Create Perfect Animated GIF from Text

Can't find a GIF that truly matches your mind? Directly share your inspiration of GIFs you want to put in email and let FlexClip's AI GIF generator bring them into reality. Here is how to make it:

Step 1

Open FlexClip's AI video generator and enter a detailed prompt describing the action, scene, and style you want. For example, you can say A dog in a space helmet, neon style, looping animation.

Use FlexClip's AI Video Generator to Create GIF from Text

Step 2

Then browse the drop-down menu of generation model, pick your favorite one to produce. Then adjust duration, ratio and visibility to keep them optimal for your GIF project. Once you're ready, hit Generate button.

Make Settings of GIF Generation and Generate

Step 3

Your generation will be ready to preview, edit, and download in moments. If the project is in MP4 format, don’t worry. Simply click Edit, and FlexClip will load it into the built-in video editor, where you can trim the GIF to your desired length, add text for extra humor, and include personal touches to fully express yourself.

Preview the Generation and Load to Editor Page to Customize

Step 4

Now it’s time to save your GIF. Click Export, switch to GIF, and choose your desired resolution and frame rate to download it. Congrats! Feel free to share your one-of-a-kind GIF in emails to friends, marketing campaigns, or anywhere you like.

Edit and Download Your Personalized GIF Project

Here is the final GIF generated by your description with FlexClip's AI video generator.

Final GIF Generated by Your Description with FlexClip's AI Video Generator

2) Create Short, Looping GIF from Image Using AI

More often, you may want to turn a static image into a GIF animation. However, manual editing can be time-consuming and limit your creativity. Fortunately, with AI, you can easily transform a still image into a looping, animated GIF in seconds—full of creativity, technology, and dynamic motion. Let’s dive in!

Step 1

Go to FlexClip's AI image-to-video tool and upload the image you want to animate for a GIF.

Open FlexClip's Image-to-video Tool and Upload Your Image

Step 2

Enter a prompt describing the action you want the subject to perform in the GIF. Then select a generation model, set the duration and other options, and click Generate to get started.

Enter a Prompt and Make Settings for Your GIF

Step 3

Once finishes, you can preview the generated GIF in the Creation Window. Preview the result but only to find it's in MP4 format? Don't fret! Simply click the Edit button to add the animation project into the built-in editor, where you can edit for further customization like adding captions.

Preview and Load Generated GIF to FlexClip's Built-in Video Editor

Step 4

Feel satisfied and can't wait to share? Directly click the Export button and select GIF to download the project as an animated GIF. Then freely to add and share your GIF in emial.

Download and Share Your Edited GIF

Here is the final look of animated GIF generated from your photo using FlexClip's image-to-video tool.

Final Look of Animated GIF Generated from Your Photo with FlexClip

Bonus Tip: FlexClip is a creative playground where you can turn your GIF ideas into reality with the power of AI. It also offers a vast library of royalty-free GIF resources—especially helpful when you’re short on time or inspiration. At the same time, you can fully customize any GIF you add. Head to FlexClip now and start creating your own GIF today!

The Ultimate Guide of FlexClip's Video Editor

FAQs About Putting GIF in Email

1. What is the best size for a GIF in email?

For fast loading and better compatibility, it's better to keep GIF files under 1–2 MB and use a width of around 600 pixels, which fits most email layouts.

2. Where can I get GIFs for email?

You can find GIF resources on website like Giphy or create your own using AI-powered tools like FlexClip, allowing you to generate and customize GIF animations.

3. When is the best time to use GIF in marketing emails?

The best time to use GIFs in marketing emails is when you want to showcase product features, simplify complex ideas, create urgency, or add personality—such as during product launches, holiday campaigns, and onboarding sequences.

The Bottom Line

That's all for how to put a GIF into Outlook email and Gmail email. If you want to make your email marketing more efficient, don't forget to try FlexClip to customize your own animated GIFs.

Bella /

Full of vitality, curiosity and hope, Bella is an energetic copywriter at FlexClip. She mainly concentrates on video creation and troublesome issues related to video editing, providing users with practical solutions and tricks. Personally, Bella loves novels, sci-fi movies, cooking and travel. And, she believes that all her life is the best arrangement from God.