Pixel Art Animation Online — Create Animated GIFs for Free

Q: What FPS should I use for pixel art animation?

For pixel art, 8–12 FPS gives a classic retro feel. 24 FPS (the default) produces smoother animations. Slower FPS works well for looping idle animations; faster FPS suits action sequences.

Everything you need to animate pixel art

Pixel art animation doesn't require expensive software. Pixel Editor includes all the tools you need to create smooth, expressive animations right in your browser.

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Frame-by-frame animation

Add as many frames as you need. Each frame is a complete drawing you can edit independently.

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Onion skinning

See a ghost of the previous frame while drawing the next one — essential for smooth motion.

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Adjustable FPS

Control playback speed from 1 to 60 FPS to get exactly the feel you want.

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Live preview

Preview your animation playing in a loop at any time, directly in the editor.

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GIF export

Export your animation as an animated GIF — ready to share on social media, Discord, or anywhere.

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Copy & paste frames

Duplicate frames to speed up your workflow — perfect for walk cycles and looping animations.

How to create a pixel art animation in 5 steps

1

Draw your first frame

Start with the base position of your character or object. This is your keyframe — the starting point for the animation.

2

Add a new frame

Click the + button in the frames panel. You can start from scratch or duplicate the current frame to make small changes.

3

Enable onion skinning

Turn on onion skinning to see the previous frame as a faint overlay. This helps you draw the next position consistently.

4

Preview and adjust FPS

Press Play to preview your animation. Adjust the FPS slider to control the speed — try 8 FPS for a retro feel or 24 FPS for smooth motion.

5

Export as GIF

When you're happy with the result, click Export → GIF. The file downloads directly with no watermarks.

Tips for better pixel art animations

Animation tips for pixel artists

→ Start with a walk cycle — it's the best exercise for learning pixel animation. 4 to 8 frames is enough for a basic loop.
→ Use 8–12 FPS for a classic retro feel. Modern pixel art games often use 12 FPS for character animations.
→ Keep your animations short and loopable. A 4-frame idle animation looks great and is easy to make.
→ Use "squash and stretch" even in pixel art — a character jumping higher on one frame and squashed on landing reads naturally.
→ Duplicate a frame and make small changes rather than redrawing from scratch. Consistency is the key to smooth motion.
→ Preview at full speed often. What looks good frame-by-frame can feel wrong at full speed.

Frequently asked questions

How do I create a pixel art animation online?

Open Pixel Editor, draw your first frame, then click the + button to add more frames. Each frame is an independent drawing. Press Play to preview, then export as GIF when done.

What FPS should I use for pixel art animation?

For a classic retro look, 8–12 FPS works well. 24 FPS (the default) produces smoother animations. Slower FPS suits idle loops; faster FPS suits action or effects.

What is onion skinning in pixel art animation?

Onion skinning shows a transparent overlay of the previous frame while you draw the current one. It helps you keep movements consistent and avoid jumpy transitions.

Can I export my pixel art animation as a GIF?

Yes. Pixel Editor exports animated GIFs directly in the browser. The GIF preserves all your frames and timing. No watermarks, completely free.

How many frames can I create?

There's no hard limit on the number of frames. You can create as many as you need for your animation.

Create Pixel Art Animations Online