Video Compressor (WhatsApp, Discord, email)

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compress video for whatsapp

Compress a video for WhatsApp

Pick WhatsApp classic (16 MB), slow connection (64 MB) or fast connection (100 MB), drop the video and click Compress. The tool works out the bitrate, picks the resolution, measures the finished file and re-encodes if it goes over.

Which limit applies and how much fits in it

The limit that applies depends on the connection and the app version. WhatsApp's Help Center lists 100 MB for chat videos on fast connections, at the standard 720p resolution, and 64 MB on slow connections, at 480p. The classic 16 MB figure still circulates and is the only one that works on every version and every connection, which is why it is the tool's first target. For documents the limit is 2 GB and the file stays unrecompressed, but the recipient downloads everything before watching. None of this is guaranteed forever: WhatsApp changes these values, which is why every target here is editable.
The math is the same for any target: bytes times 8, divided by the seconds, gives the total bitrate in bits per second. For 16 MB over 60 seconds that is 2.13 Mbps. Taking off 3% of headroom, the MP4 container's weight and 128 kbps of audio leaves about 1.93 Mbps for video. Dividing by pixels per second gives bits per pixel: 720p at 30 frames is 27.6 million pixels per second, and 1.93 Mbps yields 0.070 bits per pixel, a good level for H.264. That is why the one-minute video fits at 720p. A 5-minute video in the same 16 MB drops to 360p, with 344 kbps of video (0.050 bits per pixel), because 720p would turn into blocks.
Three shortcuts pay off more than any fine tuning. The first is trimming the start and the end before compressing: every second removed gives bitrate back to the rest. The second is dropping the audio when there is no speech or music: in the 5-minute video for 16 MB, the video bitrate goes from 344 to about 411 kbps, nearly 20% more. The third is checking the destination: if the person is on a fast connection, 64 or 100 MB allow 540p or better with room to spare, and the difference in the picture is large. Portrait phone videos use the short side as the reference, so 1080x1920 and 1920x1080 get the same rule.

What fits in each limit (1080p source, 30 fps)

Short clip at the classic limit

Input: 30 s, 16 MB
Expected output: 1920x1080, 30 fps, 4000 + 128 kbps

Resolution, frames/s and video + audio bitrates. Still 1080p.

One minute

Input: 1 min, 16 MB
Expected output: 1280x720, 30 fps, 1933 + 128 kbps

The point where 720p is still viable.

Two minutes

Input: 2 min, 16 MB
Expected output: 854x480, 30 fps, 932 + 96 kbps

Audio drops to 96 kbps and the picture to 480p.

Five minutes

Input: 5 min, 16 MB
Expected output: 640x360, 30 fps, 344 + 64 kbps

360p with 64 kbps audio.

Five minutes, slow connection

Input: 5 min, 64 MB
Expected output: 960x540, 30 fps, 1521 + 128 kbps

With 64 MB the picture is back to 540p.

Full tool FAQ

How do I compress a video to fit WhatsApp?

Pick the limit you want to hit and click Compress. WhatsApp's Help Center lists 100 MB for chat videos on fast connections (720p) and 64 MB on slow ones (480p); the classic 16 MB limit is still the most quoted and the only one safe on every version. Check yours: the targets here are editable. Tip: WhatsApp usually recompresses videos sent as media. Sent as a document, the file stays original, up to 2 GB.

What is Discord's upload limit?

Why is the email preset 18 MB if Gmail accepts 25 MB?

Will the file be exactly the size I asked for?

Why did the video end up at 480p or 360p?

What happens if the limit is too small?

Why can't my browser compress?

Does the audio come out as AAC?

Is there a limit on input length or file size?

Does my video leave my machine?

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum video size on WhatsApp?

According to the Help Center, 100 MB on fast connections (720p) and 64 MB on slow ones (480p). The old 16 MB limit is still the safest. Since the value changes, check on your device and edit the target if needed.

Does WhatsApp recompress the video I send?

It usually recompresses videos sent as media. Sent as a document, the file stays original, up to 2 GB, but it does not play inline in the chat. Compressing first gives you control over the resolution and bitrate that arrive.

Why did the video come out at 360p?

Because the length is long for the limit. With 5 minutes in 16 MB, only 344 kbps are left for video and only 360p keeps around 0.05 bits per pixel. Trim a section, drop the audio or use the 64 MB target to raise the resolution.

Does the video leave my phone?

No. Compression runs in the device's browser and nothing is uploaded. On phones the process can warm the device up and take a few minutes for long videos.

Next steps

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compress video for whatsapp

Compress a video for WhatsApp

Which limit applies and how much fits in it

The limit that applies depends on the connection and the app version. WhatsApp's Help Center lists 100 MB for chat videos on fast connections, at the standard 720p resolution, and 64 MB on slow connections, at 480p. The classic 16 MB figure still circulates and is the only one that works on every version and every connection, which is why it is the tool's first target. For documents the limit is 2 GB and the file stays unrecompressed, but the recipient downloads everything before watching. None of this is guaranteed forever: WhatsApp changes these values, which is why every target here is editable.

The math is the same for any target: bytes times 8, divided by the seconds, gives the total bitrate in bits per second. For 16 MB over 60 seconds that is 2.13 Mbps. Taking off 3% of headroom, the MP4 container's weight and 128 kbps of audio leaves about 1.93 Mbps for video. Dividing by pixels per second gives bits per pixel: 720p at 30 frames is 27.6 million pixels per second, and 1.93 Mbps yields 0.070 bits per pixel, a good level for H.264. That is why the one-minute video fits at 720p. A 5-minute video in the same 16 MB drops to 360p, with 344 kbps of video (0.050 bits per pixel), because 720p would turn into blocks.

Three shortcuts pay off more than any fine tuning. The first is trimming the start and the end before compressing: every second removed gives bitrate back to the rest. The second is dropping the audio when there is no speech or music: in the 5-minute video for 16 MB, the video bitrate goes from 344 to about 411 kbps, nearly 20% more. The third is checking the destination: if the person is on a fast connection, 64 or 100 MB allow 540p or better with room to spare, and the difference in the picture is large. Portrait phone videos use the short side as the reference, so 1080x1920 and 1920x1080 get the same rule.

What fits in each limit (1080p source, 30 fps)

Short clip at the classic limit

Input: 30 s, 16 MB
Expected output: 1920x1080, 30 fps, 4000 + 128 kbps

Resolution, frames/s and video + audio bitrates. Still 1080p.

One minute

Input: 1 min, 16 MB
Expected output: 1280x720, 30 fps, 1933 + 128 kbps

The point where 720p is still viable.

Two minutes

Input: 2 min, 16 MB
Expected output: 854x480, 30 fps, 932 + 96 kbps

Audio drops to 96 kbps and the picture to 480p.

Five minutes

Input: 5 min, 16 MB
Expected output: 640x360, 30 fps, 344 + 64 kbps

360p with 64 kbps audio.

Five minutes, slow connection

Input: 5 min, 64 MB
Expected output: 960x540, 30 fps, 1521 + 128 kbps

With 64 MB the picture is back to 540p.

Full tool FAQ

How do I compress a video to fit WhatsApp?

What is Discord's upload limit?

Why is the email preset 18 MB if Gmail accepts 25 MB?

Will the file be exactly the size I asked for?

Why did the video end up at 480p or 360p?

What happens if the limit is too small?

Why can't my browser compress?

Does the audio come out as AAC?

Is there a limit on input length or file size?

Does my video leave my machine?

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum video size on WhatsApp?

Does WhatsApp recompress the video I send?

Why did the video come out at 360p?

Does the video leave my phone?

No. Compression runs in the device's browser and nothing is uploaded. On phones the process can warm the device up and take a few minutes for long videos.