# How to Compress a Video for WhatsApp — 64 MB, 100 MB, or Less

> WhatsApp currently documents default video limits of 64 MB on slower connections and 100 MB on faster connections. Learn which target to choose and compress locally in your browser.

Source: https://toolpantry.app/blog/compress-video-for-whatsapp

## About

Pick a target that matches your connection, reduce the bitrate only as much as you need, and make the MP4 locally in your browser.

## Quick answer

Short answer: use the video compressor , choose WhatsApp — under 64 MB for the conservative option or WhatsApp — under 100 MB when your connection supports the larger default, then press Compress. The source stays on your device.

## WhatsApp does not have one universal video limit

WhatsApp's current help page says the default video limit is **100 MB at 720p for faster connections** and **64 MB at 480p for slower connections**. It also lists a 90-second maximum for Status videos and up to 2 GB for documents. The practical lesson is simple: if WhatsApp says your video is too large, the 64 MB target is the safer first attempt; if your app accepts larger media, 100 MB preserves more detail.

See the [WhatsApp Help Center instructions for sending media](https://faq.whatsapp.com/453914586839706/?cms_platform=web&locale=en_US) for the current limits. Those rules can change, so treat the numbers as a starting point rather than a promise that every account will show the same picker.

## Which target should you choose?

| Situation | Target | Resolution | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| WhatsApp rejects the video or you are unsure | **64 MB** | 480p or 720p | The conservative target for slower connections |
| Fast connection and the app allows larger media | **100 MB** | 720p | More room for motion and fine detail |
| Status video | Use the app's duration and size limits | Usually 480p/720p | Status has its own duration rules |

## How to compress the video

1. **Open the [local video compressor](https://toolpantry.app/compress-video.html)** and choose the MP4 or MOV file. Nothing is uploaded.
2. **Choose WhatsApp — under 64 MB or under 100 MB.** Pick 720p when the original is 1080p or 4K; it usually saves more detail than forcing the original resolution into a tiny bitrate.
3. **Press Compress and inspect the result.** The tool shows the planned bitrate and output size, then downloads a new H.264 MP4. Keep the original until you have sent the copy successfully.

## Why resolution matters more than squeezing the last megabyte

A video is a stream of pictures plus audio. If you keep a 4K frame but give it a very small bitrate, motion turns into blocks and smearing. Dropping to 720p reduces the number of pixels before the encoder spends its remaining bits on edges and movement. For a phone chat, that trade usually looks better than keeping 1080p at an unusably low bitrate.

## If WhatsApp still refuses it

Try the 64 MB target, shorten the clip, or send the file as a document if your app offers that option. A document may avoid the media preview path, but the recipient may need to download it first. If you only need to share the content and not the file itself, a Drive or iCloud link keeps the original quality.

For a broader walkthrough covering Discord and email limits, read [Video Too Large to Send?](https://toolpantry.app/blog/video-too-large-to-send.html). For audio-only sharing, use [video to MP3](https://toolpantry.app/video-to-mp3.html).

## Notes

By the Tool Pantry team, October 2026. WhatsApp limits can vary by connection, app version, and how you attach the media; check the limit shown in your own app.

## FAQ

**What is WhatsApp's video size limit?**

WhatsApp's current help page lists a default video limit of 100 MB at 720p for faster connections and 64 MB at 480p for slower connections. Your app or connection may show a different limit, so use the smaller target when you are unsure.

**How do I compress a video for WhatsApp?**

Open the local video compressor, choose WhatsApp 64 MB or WhatsApp 100 MB, choose 720p if the clip is large, and press Compress. The browser creates a new MP4 on your device; the source file is not uploaded.

**Will WhatsApp compress my video again?**

WhatsApp may recompress media when you send it as a photo or video. Starting with a compatible MP4 at a suitable resolution and bitrate gives it less work to do and makes a rejected upload less likely.

**Can I send a larger video as a document?**

WhatsApp's help page lists a 2 GB maximum for documents. Sending a video as a document can avoid media-preview limits, but the recipient may need to download it before watching and the exact options vary by app version.