WhatsApp limits video file sizes to 16MB — roughly 90 seconds of HD video. If your video is over the limit, you need to compress it before sending. Here's the fastest way to do it.
WhatsApp Video Limits
- → Max file size: 16MB
- → Supported formats: MP4, MOV, AVI, MKV
- → Max duration: No explicit limit (determined by file size)
- → Recommended resolution: 720p (1280×720) for best quality/size ratio
Step-by-Step: Compress Video for WhatsApp
- 1. Go to FileCurve's Video Compressor
- 2. Upload your video (the tool will show its current size)
- 3. Select Medium quality — this typically cuts file size by 50-60%
- 4. Click "Compress Video" and wait (FFmpeg runs in your browser)
- 5. Check the output size — if still over 16MB, try Low quality
- 6. Download and send on WhatsApp
Pro tip: For very long videos, use the Trim Video tool to cut out unneeded sections first. Shorter video = smaller file size regardless of compression.
Alternative: Send as Document
In WhatsApp, you can send files up to 100MB when sharing as a "Document" instead of a "Video." Go to the attachment icon → Document → select your video file. Recipients can still play it.
Why Videos Are Large
Modern smartphones record in 4K or 1080p at high bitrates. A 1-minute 4K video can easily be 300-500MB. Compression re-encodes the video at lower bitrate while maintaining acceptable visual quality.