.cur versus .ani: what’s the difference?
Windows uses two file types for custom mouse pointers. A .cur file holds one still image. An .ani file holds a sequence of images that play in a loop. Both set a hotspot, the pixel that counts as the click.
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Open the free cursor creatorThe short answer
| Aspect | .cur | .ani |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | One static pointer image | An animated pointer: several frames plus timing |
| Installs as a Windows pointer | Yes | Yes |
| Works in web pages (CSS cursor) | Yes, in modern browsers | No, modern browsers do not use it |
| Typical use | Arrow, hand, crosshair | Busy/loading spinner, pulsing or decorative pointers |
| Made by AniFX | “Download static .cur” | “Download animated .ani” |
What is inside a .cur file
A .cur file uses the same container as a Windows .ico icon file, with the type set to cursor. It has a small directory that lists each image, its size and its hotspot, followed by the image data itself. The pixels are stored as a bitmap with an alpha channel, so soft edges and transparency work.
A .cur can technically hold several sizes of the same image so Windows can pick the best fit. AniFX writes one size per file, which you choose in the editor (32, 48 or 64 pixels).
What is inside a .ani file
An .ani file is a RIFF container (the same family of format as .wav and .avi) tagged ACON. It stores a header that says how many frames there are, a list of per-frame display times, and then each frame as a complete .cur-style image.
Frame times are stored in jiffies, which are 1/60 of a second. A frame that shows for 100 ms is therefore stored as 6 jiffies, and AniFX rounds the durations you enter to the nearest jiffy.
Which one should you use?
- Choose .cur for everyday pointers like the arrow, text cursor and hand, where animation would distract.
- Choose .ani for pointers that signal waiting or activity, or for a playful custom theme.
- Choose .cur if you want the cursor on a website. Browsers can show a .cur or a small PNG as a CSS cursor, but they do not play .ani files.
- Keep the animation short and subtle. A pointer sits under your eyes all day, and heavy motion becomes tiring quickly.
Common misunderstandings
- Renaming a .png or .gif to .cur does not work. The file must contain the real cursor structure, which is why AniFX builds it for you.
- A .ani is not a GIF. It has no built-in compression or palette, so file size grows with frame count and pixel size.
- Windows cursors only work as system pointers on Windows. You can create the files in a browser on any desktop system.
Try it yourself
The AniFX cursor creator draws, imports and exports real .cur and .ani files in your browser. Nothing is uploaded. Want to animate a photo instead? Open the image animation studio.