A video that's too big to send is a common problem, and this tool lets you compress video files right in your browser so they fit. It re-encodes your clip into an efficient MP4 and, on the stronger levels, lowers the resolution. You choose how much to shrink it, and the smaller file downloads straight back to your device.
Pick a compression level
There are three levels. Each one sets the highest resolution the result can have:
| Level | Maximum resolution | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Recommended | Up to 720p | Most videos for chat apps and email |
| Less compression | Up to 1080p | When sharpness matters more than size |
| Extreme | Up to 480p | When you need the smallest possible file |
Recommended suits most people. A 720p video still looks clear on a phone screen, and the file usually ends up a lot smaller than a 1080p or 4K original. Less compression keeps Full HD detail, which is useful for a presentation that will be shown on a large screen. Extreme gives up more picture quality and is best for short clips where the content matters more than the detail, such as a quick screen recording of a bug or a video of a document.
If your video is already smaller than a level's limit (for example a 480p clip on Recommended), it keeps its resolution and is only re-encoded.
How to compress a video
- Tap "Select files" on your phone, or drag the video onto the page on a computer. MP4, MOV, MKV, WEBM, AVI and 3GP files work.
- Choose a level: Recommended, Less compression or Extreme.
- Start compressing and keep the page open while it works.
- Download your compressed MP4.
What the tool does to your video
Compression here means re-encoding. The video is saved again as an MP4 using H.264, a format that plays on nearly every phone, computer and website. On Recommended and Extreme, the tool also scales the picture down to 720p or 480p if it was bigger, which cuts the size much further.
The result is never bigger than the original. If the tool can't make your file smaller, you get your original back unchanged.
Situations where it helps
Email services and chat apps put limits on how big an attachment can be, and a minute or two of phone video can go over them. Compressing first brings the file down so it's more likely to fit. Here are some cases where people reach for a video compressor:
- Sending a clip to family on WhatsApp without it taking ages or using up mobile data.
- Attaching a short video to an email for a client or as part of a job application.
- Uploading a project or assignment video to a school portal with a size limit.
- Freeing up storage on a phone that's full of long recordings.
- Sharing a product video from a small business on a slow connection.
Limits and tips
The upload limit is 100 MB, so a video bigger than that can't be compressed here. For videos under the limit, a shorter clip is also a smaller one: cut out the sections you don't need with Trim video, then compress the result for the biggest savings.
Longer videos take a while to process, because every frame has to be re-encoded. Keep the page open until your download is ready.
Every compressed video loses some detail. That's how compression works, and the effect is easier to see on Extreme. If the result looks too soft, run the original again on Recommended or Less compression.
The result is always MP4. If you need a different format, such as WEBM for a website, use the Video converter. If you only need the sound, Video to MP3 gives you a far smaller audio file.
Privacy
Your video is processed on our server and deleted as soon as the compressed file is sent back to you. We don't keep a copy and we don't share it. You don't need to sign up, and no watermark or logo is added to your video. The tool works in the browser on Android phones, iPhones and computers running Windows, Mac, Linux or ChromeOS, with nothing to install.
Frequently asked questions
Is the video compressor free?
Yes. You can compress video files at no cost and without making an account. There's no watermark on the result.
How do I compress a video for WhatsApp?
Upload your video, choose Recommended and download the MP4. The 720p result looks fine on phone screens and is usually much smaller than the original, which makes it quicker to send.
Can I compress a video on my iPhone or Android phone?
Yes. Open this page in your phone's browser, tap "Select files" and choose the video from your gallery. The compressed MP4 saves to your phone when it's ready.
Will compressing my video reduce the quality?
Some detail is always lost. On Recommended, the 720p result still looks clear on most phone screens. Extreme makes the file smallest and the loss is easier to see. Less compression keeps up to 1080p if you want to keep more detail.
Why is my video still large after compression?
Long videos stay fairly large even after compression because there's simply more footage. Try Extreme, or trim out the parts you don't need and compress the shorter clip.
What's the largest video I can upload?
Each upload can be up to 100 MB. Videos bigger than that won't upload, so you'd need to split or shorten them on your device first.
What format do I get back?
You always get an MP4 encoded with H.264, which plays on almost any device.