Compress Video for WhatsApp (16 MB)
Shrink phone videos to 16 MB so they send as a normal WhatsApp video that plays instantly, not as a heavy document. Works on your phone, no upload.
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Your files never leave your device
About this tool
WhatsApp video messages have long been capped at about 16 MB, and a one minute 4K or 1080p phone video can be ten times that. WhatsApp will either refuse it, squash it with its own heavy compression, or make you send it as a document that the other person has to download before watching. This page compresses video for WhatsApp with the 16 MB target already set, so you choose how the video is reduced and it arrives as a normal video that plays right in the chat. It runs in your phone or computer browser and nothing is uploaded to our servers.
How to compress a video for WhatsApp
- Open this page on your phone (or computer) and tap to pick the video from your gallery.
- By file size and 16 MB (WhatsApp) are already selected.
- For videos longer than about 2 minutes, choose 720p or 480p under Resolution.
- Tap Compress video and download the MP4.
- In WhatsApp, attach it from your gallery or Files and send it as a video.
What fits in 16 MB?
| Video length | Video bitrate | Suggested resolution |
|---|---|---|
| 30 seconds | about 4 Mbps | Original (1080p) |
| 1 minute | about 2 Mbps | 1080p or 720p |
| 2 minutes | about 950 kbps | 720p |
| 3 minutes | about 600 kbps | 480p |
| 5 minutes | about 320 kbps | 480p or 360p |
With sound, 16 MB holds a little under 10 minutes. Without sound it holds about 17 minutes.
Video message or document?
- As a video (this page): plays instantly with a preview, uses little mobile data for you and the recipient.
- As a document: WhatsApp allows much larger files, up to 2 GB, but the recipient sees a file icon and must download all of it first.
Phone tips
- Vertical videos stay vertical. The resolution sets the short side, so a 720p portrait video comes out as 720 × 1280.
- On iPhone the download lands in Files. Open it there, save it to Photos, then attach it in WhatsApp from Photos as usual.
- Status updates are short, so a 30 second clip at the original resolution usually fits easily.
- Slow phone? Compressing a long 4K video is faster at 720p, because there are fewer pixels to encode.
For other sizes and quality levels, use the main video compressor. Only need to share the sound, like a song or a speech? Turn it into a small file with the MP4 to MP3 converter.
Features
- 16 MB WhatsApp target preselected
- Works in the browser on iPhone and Android, no app to install
- Keeps vertical videos vertical at 720p or 480p
- Bitrate worked out from your video's exact length
- Option to remove the audio for silent clips
- Runs on your device: the video is never uploaded to us
Frequently asked questions
What is the WhatsApp video size limit?
Videos sent as a normal video message have long been limited to about 16 MB. Larger files, up to 2 GB, can only be sent as a document, which the recipient has to download before watching.
How do I compress a video for WhatsApp on my phone?
Open this page in Safari or Chrome on your phone, pick the video, keep the 16 MB WhatsApp target and tap Compress video. Download the MP4 and attach it in WhatsApp.
How long a video can I send on WhatsApp in 16 MB?
Up to about 2 minutes looks good at 720p, and about 3 to 5 minutes at 480p. With sound the maximum is a little under 10 minutes.
Why not let WhatsApp compress the video itself?
WhatsApp's own compression is aggressive and you cannot control it. Compressing here lets you pick the resolution, and very long videos are refused or must go as documents anyway.
Will my vertical video be cropped?
No. The aspect ratio is kept. Choosing 720p sets the short side to 720 pixels, so a portrait video becomes 720 × 1280 with nothing cut off.
Is my video uploaded?
No. The video is compressed by your own phone or computer inside the browser. It only leaves your device when you send it on WhatsApp.