Compress video for email

Gmail, Outlook.com, Yahoo Mail and iCloud Mail take 20 to 25 MB of attachments in one message. To compress a video for email, keep the 18 MB target, which leaves room for the extra size an attachment gains when it is sent.

Limit 18 MB

01020304050 MB

Drop a video here

MP4, MOV, M4V, WEBM, MKV, AVI

Up to 2 GB on a computer and 1 GB on a phone, because your device does the work. You can also paste a file.

Stays on your device
Your file is never uploaded
18 MB target
From Gmail's own help page
MP4 out
H.264 video, AAC sound

How it works

Choose the video you want to attach. It stays on your device while it is compressed.
The target is 18 MB, which sits under the 20 to 25 MB email video attachment size limits.
The bitrate is set from that target and the video length, with a margin for the extra size of sending.
If the picture would look too blocky, the resolution goes down first.
The result is checked. If it is still over 18 MB, it is compressed again at a lower bitrate. Then attach the MP4 to your message.

Facts

Gmail: all attachments in one message, personal accounts: 25 MB. Larger files are sent as Google Drive links instead. Checked 2026-11-12 Source
Outlook.com: attachments in one message: 25 MB. Another Microsoft page gives 20 MB for internet email accounts. Checked 2026-11-12 Source
Yahoo Mail: all attachments in one message: 25 MB. Checked 2026-11-12 Source
iCloud Mail: whole message, without Mail Drop: 20 MB. Mail Drop sends attachments up to 5 GB as a download link. Checked 2026-11-12 Source
Target on this page: 18 MB by default, under the attachment limits. You can type a different size
Output format: MP4 with H.264 video and AAC sound
Where it runs: In your browser, on your device. Nothing is uploaded
Max file size: 2 GB on a computer, 1 GB on a phone
Browsers: Chrome and Edge 94 or later, Safari 16.4 or later, Firefox 130 or later on a computer

Questions

How do I make a video small enough to email?

Pick the video, keep the 18 MB target, and press Compress video. Download the MP4 and attach it to your message.

What is the attachment limit for Gmail?

Gmail allows 25 MB of attachments in one message on a personal account. Larger files are sent as Google Drive links instead.

Why is the target 18 MB and not 25 MB?

Email changes an attachment into a larger form while it is sent, so a file close to 25 MB can end up over the limit. Leaving room below it keeps the message inside the limit.

Is my video uploaded before I attach it?

No. Your browser compresses the file. It only goes to your email provider when you attach it and send the message.