WhatsApp's video limits explained
WhatsApp's help center currently lists these defaults for sending videos as media:
- Faster connections: up to 100 MB at 720p.
- Slower connections: up to 64 MB at 480p.
- Documents: up to 2 GB, but they arrive as a file to download rather than a video that plays in the chat.
- Supported formats: 3GP, AVI, FLV, MKV, MOV and MP4.
You will still see the old “16 MB” figure quoted online. That number now mainly applies to the WhatsApp Business API, not the regular app. Limits can differ by app version and region, so if WhatsApp shows a different message, trust the app.
Why this preset uses 60 MB at 720p
720p is the resolution WhatsApp itself targets, so anything larger will be downscaled anyway. A 60 MB target fits under the slow-connection limit as well as the fast one, which matters when you send to a group where some people are on mobile data. It also gives your contacts a much quicker download. If your video is short, you can switch to Quality mode and choose Medium for an even smaller file that looks the same on a phone screen.
How to send a long video on WhatsApp
- Open the video in the compressor above. On a phone, tap “Choose video” and pick it from your gallery or files.
- Keep the 720p / 60 MB preset, or lower it for very long videos (see below).
- Press Compress video and wait — phones encode more slowly than laptops.
- Download the MP4. On iPhone, save it to Files or Photos; on Android it lands in Downloads.
- In WhatsApp, tap the attach button, choose Photos & Videos (Gallery on Android) and send.
Rough guide by video length
- Up to 5 minutes: 720p in Quality mode (Medium) usually lands well under the limit.
- 5–15 minutes: 720p with a 60 MB target.
- 15–30 minutes: 480p with a 60 MB target — fine for talks, lessons and family videos.
- Longer: split the video into parts, or send it as a document if your contacts have a good connection.
Getting better quality on WhatsApp
WhatsApp re-encodes videos it thinks are too heavy, and that second compression is what makes videos look smeared. You get the cleanest result by sending a file that is already the right size and resolution, so WhatsApp has less work to do. Newer versions of WhatsApp also offer an HD option when sending media; with a 720p file prepared here, the HD and standard versions look much closer than with a 4K original. Avoid compressing the same file twice — always start from your original recording.
Troubleshooting
- WhatsApp says the file is too big: lower the target to 45 MB or switch to 480p.
- The video only sends as a document: your file is over the media limit, or it was attached through the Document option. Use Photos & Videos instead.
- The browser tab closed on my phone: mobile browsers have less memory. Close other apps, use a shorter clip, or compress on a computer and send through WhatsApp Web or Desktop.
Recording on an iPhone? Read how to reduce iPhone video size. Sharing to social media instead? Try the Instagram preset.