How to Add Text to GIFs 2020 (3 Easy Ways)

Commonly referred to as a moving meme, GIF can be described as a short moving picture on a loop and is very popular across many social networks.

If you’re wondering how to add your own custom text to an animated GIF, then there is nowhere else you would rather be. Below are some tools to help you get started.

Add text to GIF on Windows & Mac with Movavi
Add text to GIF with GIMP
Add simple text to GIF online

1. Add Moving text to GIF on Windows & Mac with Movavi Video Editor

Movavi Video Editor is an all in one video production software for creating professional slideshows and movies on your computer – regardless of your video editing skills.

Completely edit your video to your liking. Add text, music, visual effects, transitions and captions to your video.

Movavi is compatible with a wide range of video and photo formats, including GIFs.

This video editing software is also very straightforward to navigate. Below is how to add an animated or static text to a GIF using Movavi.

Step 1: Install Movavi, if you haven’t.

Step 2: Launch Movavi and drag and drop a GIF image of your choice to your timeline.

Step 3: To add text, click on the T icon to view an extensive collection of default titles and text – animated (Artistic) and static (Basic).

Double click on the template to preview title and text. Once you decide on a style you like, add it to the timeline by dragging it.

You can adjust the position of the text on the timeline to your preferred location.

Step 4: Double-click on the inserted text on the timeline to add text, and then to change the sample text to your own text, double-click on the preview window.

You can also make other edits to your texts such as the font size, color, speed an so on by clicking on the toolbar on top of the preview window.

2. Add text to GIF with GIMP

An arguably better and free substitute for Adobe Photoshop, the GIMP (the GNU Image Manipulation Program) comes with a host of top-notch and professional options that allows you to seamlessly edit and fine-tune photos and images.

Just like Adobe Photoshop, users are also able to add texts to GIF files. To find out how, follow the tutorial below.

Step 1: Click on File > Open to add an animated GIF image.

Step 2: Select a text color by clicking on the Text tool in the Toolbox.

Step 3: To add your text, find the text box. After this, a text layer will surface in the layers window on the right panel.

Once you have typed in your text, select all of them by pressing CTRL + A, and then edit the font and font size. The most common meme font is Impact, and I recommend it too.

Step 4: Move your text layer and add a path. Use the move tool to adjust the position of the text.

At this stage, the text layer has been created for the GIF image. But before they are added to all the image layers, you would need to head to layout on the toolbar and then choose Layer to Image Size.

This is done to ensure that the newly created text layer is of the same size as your other GIF layers.

Step 5: Apply the text layer to all the image layers

Select the image layer under the text layer and paste the text layer elements to the images of your choice using CTRL + V, and then CTRL+H to anchor the whole layer.

Repeat this process for all the other image layers that you want the text to be displayed on.

Step 6: Preview your file and save. To preview your completed GIF file, go to Filters > Animation > Playback.

3. Add Simple text to GIF online

Online image text editor, Ezgif enables users to write a custom text over a GIF animated image while preserving the animation. It can add annotation/subtitles to a part or the entire clip and change the text on various parts/frames of the GIF. To add captions or text to your GIF online follow the steps below;

Step 1: Paste or Upload a GIF URL to add text.

Step 2: Enter your custom text and then pick a font style, color and size you want. You can also position the text on the image using drag and drop.