How to compress a video for email
Email was never built for video. Gmail stops you at 25 MB — and other providers stop you sooner. Here's how to get your clip through.
Last updated: October 2026
The 25 MB wall
Gmail caps attachments at 25 MB. If your provider caps lower, type that number as a custom target instead — the tool takes any exact size, not just the presets.
The cap counts the whole message, not just the video: attachments are encoded on the way out, so a file that looks like 24 MB can still tip you over. Aim a little under the cap, not exactly at it.
Option 1: Compress to exactly 25 MB
Open the Gmail compressor, drop the video in, and download a file guaranteed just under 25 MB. Short clips come out looking clean; long ones will look softer — that is the math, not the tool.
Option 2: Link instead of attach
If the clip is long, compression is the wrong answer. Upload it to Drive, Dropbox, or YouTube (unlisted) and email the link. The recipient gets full quality and your message stays tiny.
Rule of thumb: under a minute, compress and attach. Over a few minutes, link it.
Compress a video for email
Free, in your browser. Your video never leaves your device.
FAQ
What is Gmail's attachment limit?
25 MB per message, including all attachments combined.
Can I email a video larger than 25 MB?
Not as an attachment. Compress it under the cap, or upload it somewhere and send a link instead.