The Ultimate Guide to Compressing Videos for WhatsApp & Email
Next BConvert Team
The File Size Limit Struggle
We've all been there: you try to send a funny video to a group chat, but WhatsApp says "File too large".
- WhatsApp Limit: Approx. 16MB (media) / 2GB (documents)
- Gmail Limit: 25MB
- Discord Free Limit: 8MB - 25MB
How to Shrink Video Without Quality Loss
Video compression works by removing redundant data. Here are the best settings to use:
1. Lower the Bitrate
Bitrate (Mbps) is the main factor in file size. For a phone screen, a bitrate of 1.5 - 2.5 Mbps is often indistinguishable from the original.
2. Downscale Resolution
If your video is 4K, converting it to 1080p or even 720p can reduce the size by 40-70% instantly.
3. Use Efficient Codecs
Convert older formats (AVI, MOV) to modern H.264 MP4 or WebM for better compression efficiency.
Compress Now
Use our Free Video Compressor to apply these settings automatically. Select "Medium" or "Low" quality preset to instantly prep your video for sharing.