How to Compress Video for WhatsApp (Under 16MB)
Published on April 23, 2026
WhatsApp limits video attachments to 16MB. To send a larger video, upload it to our free video compressor, pick a lower resolution and quality preset, and download the smaller file. Everything runs in your browser, so your video stays private.
WhatsApp Video Size Limits
WhatsApp caps video files at 16MB for sending as an attachment. A 30-second 1080p clip from a modern phone typically runs 50-100MB, well over the limit. You have two options: compress the video or trim it down. Usually a combination works best.
Step-by-Step Compression
Open the Compress Video tool. Upload your video file. Set the quality to Medium or Low, and drop the resolution to 720p or 480p. These two settings together can shrink a video by 70-90%. Click compress and download the result. If it is still over 16MB, try 480p with Low quality.
Trim First, Then Compress
If your video is long, cut it down before compressing. Use our video trimmer to remove the parts you do not need. A shorter clip compresses to a much smaller file. Trimming uses codec copy mode, so there is no quality loss.
Best Settings for WhatsApp
For a 1-minute video to stay under 16MB, target 720p resolution with Medium quality (CRF 28). That gives roughly 2MB per 10 seconds. For longer clips, drop to 480p. WhatsApp compresses videos again on its end anyway, so sending a 720p file looks nearly identical to 1080p on phone screens.
For more tips, see our guides on reducing video file size and compressing video for email.
Ready to compress? Use our WhatsApp video compressor with step-by-step instructions and size estimates, or jump straight to the video compressor tool