What is the Maximum Size of Videos on WhatsApp

Explore the maximum sizes of videos on WhatsApp. Discover the essential tips for compressing your clips for easy sharing without losing quality. Moreover, employ CapCut to effectively reduce file size of videos by trimming it, and adjusting the resolution and the bit rate.

maximum size of video on whatsapp
CapCut
CapCut2024-10-14
0 min(s)

Reaching the maximum size of video on WhatsApp can be frustrating, especially when you're trying to share meaningful personal moments or important professional content. Fortunately, adapting your videos to fit within WhatsApp’s file size limit doesn’t require you to be tech-savvy.

In this article, you will learn about the different video sizes in WhatsApp and discover ways to send large videos without compromising video quality.

Table of content

What is the maximum video size for WhatsApp

WhatsApp's video max size is capped at 100 MB and 64 MB, depending upon the speed of internet connectivity. This limitation is in place to ensure that the app remains quick and responsive for all its users. If you need to share a longer video, you might consider compressing it further by splitting it into smaller segments. This approach helps maintain efficient communication while still sharing your videos.

Different file size limits on WhatsApp

WhatsApp has specific limits for different types of files to ensure smooth and efficient communication. Let’s explore the different maximum sizes of videos on WhatsApp to understand how they affect what you can share on the platform.

  • Videos
  • The maximum size of video on WhatsApp is 100 MB. Typically, this size provides a few minutes of video, depending on quality, compression, and internet speed. For longer videos, sharing a link from a cloud service is a practical solution.
  • Audios
  • The limit for audio files is 16 MB. That’s usually enough for lengthy audio messages or songs, especially when compressed into formats like MP3.
  • Images
  • You can send images up to 16 MB. High-resolution photos are generally manageable within this range, but very high-quality or detailed images might require resizing or compression.
  • Documents
  • WhatsApp supports document sharing with a generous limit of 2 GB. This capacity is suitable for PDFs, slideshows, and other work-related documents, offering considerable flexibility.
  • Status updates
  • When posting a status update, whether it’s a video or an image, the size limit is 30 seconds. This constraint ensures updates are brief, quick to load, and easy to view.

Top 5 ways to send large videos on WhatsApp

Whether you’re sharing personal memories or professional content, here are the top five ways that will help you bypass the maximum size of videos on WhatsApp with ease.

1. Use Google Drive

Google Drive is a great and famous tool for sharing large videos that exceed WhatsApp video file size limit. First, upload your video to your drive, and then share a link to that file directly through a WhatsApp message. This method ensures that your video maintains its quality without the need for compression.


  • Accessible from any internet-connected device.
  • Includes 15 GB of free storage space, sufficient for accommodating sizable files.
  • Empowers with easy management and organization of files.
  • Users can comment on and edit shared files if given permission

  • Shared links can potentially be accessed by unintended users if not properly secured.
  • A stable internet connection requirement to upload and download files can cause inaccessibility.

Interface of Google Drive - a perfect way to share videos that exceed WhatsApp video file size limit

2. Use iCloud

For iPhone users, iCloud provides an easy way to share large videos. Upload the video to your iCloud account and select the ‘Share’ option to generate a link. You can then send this link via WhatsApp. This method is particularly efficient for maintaining the privacy and security of your shared content.


  • Seamlessly integrates with Apple devices, making it very convenient for iPhone users.
  • Features strong encryption, ensuring that your data is protected.
  • Automatically backs up photos and videos, which can be shared directly.
  • Enables sharing with up to six family members under one subscription.

  • Only 5 GB of free storage, which may be insufficient for larger video files.
  • Primarily beneficial for users within the Apple ecosystem.

Interface of iCloud - a reliable way to share large-size WhatsApp video files

If you are using cloud storage services like Dropbox or OneDrive, you can upload your video to the cloud and share a direct link through WhatsApp. This method is versatile and enables recipients to view the video directly in their browser or download it for later viewing.


  • Supports multiple platforms, ensuring access across various devices.
  • Both platforms offer significant storage in paid plans.
  • Features like file recovery and version history are available.
  • Easy-to-use interfaces that are beginner-friendly.

  • Larger storage options require a monthly subscription.
  • Similar to Google Drive, a stable internet connection is necessary.

Interface of Dropbox - a legit way to transfer large videos

4. Use file transfer tools

Tools like WeTransfer or Send Anywhere can be used to send large files. These services usually require you to upload your video to their platform, after which you’ll get a link that you can easily share on WhatsApp. The link typically expires after a set period, which helps control access to your video.


  • Simple process without the need for account creation.
  • Quick upload and download speeds, ideal for urgent transfers.
  • Services often enable very large files to be sent that exceed typical cloud storage limits.
  • Files are stored temporarily, which reduces long-term security risks.

  • Files expire after a set time, which might be inconvenient.
  • Basic services do not offer detailed control over who can access the files.

Interface of WeTransfer - an easy way to share different video sizes in WhatsApp

5. Compress files above 2 GB

If you have a video that’s larger than 2 GB, consider using a video compression tool to reduce its file size before sending. Software like CapCut lets you adjust the resolution and bit rate, which can significantly decrease the file size with minimal quality loss. After compression, if the video file is under the size limit, you can send it via WhatsApp.


  • Significantly decreases video size, which makes it easier to manage and share.
  • Some software is available for free to compress videos.
  • Modern compression tools can reduce file size with minimal quality loss.
  • Compressed files are generally supported by a wide range of devices.

  • Some detail and quality may still be lost, especially with higher compression ratios.
  • Needs additional software or apps to compress the files, which might be complex for some users.

Utilizing software to compress WhatsApp video size

How to compress your videos for easy sharing: CapCut desktop

The CapCut desktop video editor is a fantastic choice if you’re looking to compress your videos easily. Designed for straightforward navigation, CapCut makes it simple to trim down file sizes and ensures your videos look great on any platform. Regardless of your experience level, his editor offers powerful features that help you compress and enhance your videos easily.


Editing interface of the CapCut desktop video editor - a perfect tool to reduce video size for Whatsapp video size

Compress a video on the CapCut desktop video editor

If you are a new user, first download CapCut to your device by clicking the button below. Then, follow the instructions to run the installer and sign in to access its features.

    Step
  1. Upload the video
  2. Open CapCut and upload your video by clicking the "Import" button.
  3. 
    Importing media in the CapCut desktop video editor
  4. Step
  5. Trim and fine-tune clips
  6. Drop your video into the timeline and adjust the aspect ratio to match the specifications of your intended platform. Next, remove any unnecessary sections by splitting your video into multiple segments and trimming them away or with a single click using the tools above the timeline. You can also enhance your video using advanced editing features such as AI relight, noise reduction, and flicker removal to enhance the final video.
  7. 
    Trimming the video to reduce file size in the CapCut desktop video editor
  8. Step
  9. Compress and export
  10. Once you're done, click the "Export" button in the top-right corner. Adjust the parameters, like bitrate and resolution, to minimize the video file size and click "Export" again to save it. You can also share it on YouTube and TikTok.
  11. 
    Exporting the compressed video from the CapCut desktop video editor

Key features

  • Bitrate adjustments
  • CapCut lets users fine-tune the bitrate of their videos, which lets them strike the perfect balance between file size and video quality.
  • Various resolution options
  • You can change resolution settings, like from 4K to 720p or 480p in CapCut, which makes it easy to adjust video output to specific platform requirements or to reduce file size for easier sharing.
  • Precise trimming and cutting tools
  • CapCut provides tools for precise trimming and cutting to compress video, remove unnecessary footage, and focus on the best parts of your video.
  • Supports various video formats
  • CapCut supports multiple video formats, which ensure compatibility across different devices and platforms. This versatility enables users to work with diverse file types and export in the format that best suits their needs.

Tips to compress videos for WhatsApp

To ensure easy sharing and quick uploads, it's essential to compress the maximum video size for WhatsApp. Here are some of the effective tips to do this without sacrificing quality:

  • Use MP4 format
  • MP4 is known for its efficiency in maintaining good video quality while keeping file sizes small. This format ensures compatibility with WhatsApp and most other platforms. It’s a reliable choice for compressing large videos without losing too much detail and helps videos upload and download faster.
  • Reduce resolution
  • If you lower the resolution of your video, it can dramatically reduce its size. For example, reducing a 1080p video to 720p or 480p can make the file significantly smaller while still offering decent quality for mobile viewing. This step is essential when the goal is to balance video clarity and size for quick sharing.
  • Adjust bitrate
  • A lower bitrate means less data is processed per second and reduces file size. Experiment with different bitrates to find the best compromise between quality and compression, as modifying the bitrate of your video affects its size and quality.
  • Trim unused clips
  • Focus on keeping the most important parts and remove any extra footage that doesn’t contribute to the main content. This makes the video more concise and easier to share, as well as improves the viewing experience because cutting out unnecessary sections of your video can significantly reduce its length and size.
  • Utilize compression tools
  • Many video editing apps and software include built-in tools for compressing videos. These tools automatically reduce the file size while maintaining the best possible quality. Using such tools simplifies the process, especially when you need to compress a video quickly for WhatsApp sharing without manual adjustments.

Conclusion

To sum up, the maximum video size on WhatsApp is typically 100 MB, though it may vary to 64 MB depending on your internet speed. You can still share impactful videos by aligning your content with WhatsApp’s size limit. Once you become familiar with methods to compress and share larger files, you can maintain video quality and ensure your content reaches its audience effectively.

Remember, successful video sharing is about both reducing file sizes and preserving quality to keep viewers engaged. For this, the CapCut desktop video editor is an excellent choice, as it enables you to enhance and optimize videos easily for WhatsApp.

FAQs

  1. How do I send a 30-minute video on WhatsApp?
  2. To send a 30-minute video on WhatsApp, you'll need to use a workaround since the platform restricts direct video uploads to 100 MB. You can send the video via the "Document" option or upload the video to a cloud storage service like Google Drive and share the link through WhatsApp. Alternatively, you can compress the video using a CapCut desktop video editor.
  3. Can I send a 150 MB file on WhatsApp?
  4. Yes, you can send a 150 MB file directly on WhatsApp, as the app limits document video files to 2 GB. If you want to send larger video files, you will need to use a cloud storage service like Google Drive or Dropbox. However, you can use video editing software like CapCut desktop video editor to compress the video by removing unwanted parts and adjusting the codec and bitrate.
  5. What is the maximum video size on WhatsApp?
  6. The maximum video size you can send on WhatsApp is 100 MB, which generally translates to around 90 seconds to 3 minutes of video, depending on the quality. However, for WhatsApp Status updates, videos can be shared up to 30 seconds in length in a single status post. To send larger videos, you must first compress them using a tool like CapCut desktop video editor and then share them smoothly.
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