WhatsApp allows users to send videos in their chat messages. However, WhatsApp applies a compression and size limit to videos sent through their service. This means users cannot send very large or high quality videos over WhatsApp without first compressing the video file size.
WhatsApp’s Video Requirements
WhatsApp has the following requirements for videos sent through their service:
- Maximum file size: 16MB
- Maximum length: 3 minutes
- Recommended resolution: 480×854 pixels (portrait mode) or 854×480 pixels (landscape mode)
- Minimum resolution: 128×128 pixels
- Aspect ratios supported: 4:3, 16:9, 1:1
- Maximum frame rate: 30 frames per second
- Video formats supported: MP4, 3GP
If a video exceeds any of these requirements, it will need to be compressed before sending through WhatsApp. The main requirements that cause users to compress their videos are the 16MB file size limit and the recommended resolution.
Options for Compressing Video for WhatsApp
Here are some options for compressing video files to meet WhatsApp’s requirements:
Use a Video Compressor App
There are many free video compressor apps available for both iOS and Android devices that can compress videos for WhatsApp:
- Video Compress – Android & iOS
- Video Shrinker – Android & iOS
- Compressor – Android & iOS
- Video Compress – Android
These apps allow you to easily compress videos by reducing resolution, bitrate, frame rate and more. They provide presets optimized for sharing on WhatsApp.
Use Desktop Software
On a desktop computer, you can use video editing or converter software to compress videos:
- Handbrake (Mac & PC) – open source video transcoder
- Adobe Media Encoder (Mac & PC) – comes with Creative Cloud subscription
- Avidemux (Mac & PC) – open source video editor
- VLC Media Player (Mac & PC) – has basic compression features
These programs allow you to customize resolution, bitrates, codecs and other compression settings.
Use Online Compression Tools
There are many free online video compressors you can use in a web browser:
- CloudConvert
- Online Video Converter
- ClipChamp
- Ezgif
- Online Compressor
These tools provide quick compression without needing to install any software. Some allow you to select optimal settings for WhatsApp.
Steps to Compress a Video for WhatsApp
Here are the general steps to compress a video for WhatsApp:
- Check the original video file size. If it is under 16MB, compression may not be needed.
- Select a video compressor app, software or online tool. Apps provide the quickest option.
- Import the video into the compressor app or software.
- Adjust the resolution to 480×854 or 854×480 pixels.
- Set the bitrate between 256-512 kbps for sufficient quality.
- Set the frame rate to 30 fps maximum.
- Set the output format to MP4 or 3GP.
- Export the compressed video and check the file size is under 16MB.
- If the file size is still too large, lower the resolution or bitrate further.
- Once satisfied with the quality and file size, send the compressed video on WhatsApp.
The optimal resolution and bitrate settings will depend on the video content, length and original file size. Some experimentation may be needed to get the right balance of quality and file size.
Sample Resolution and Bitrate Settings
Here are some sample resolution and bitrate settings to try for common video lengths and sizes:
| Original Video Length | Original Size | Compressed Resolution | Compressed Bitrate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 minute | 80MB | 480×480 | 512kbps |
| 5 minutes | 150MB | 480×854 | 768kbps |
| 10 minutes | 250MB | 426×240 | 256kbps |
| 20 minutes | 650MB | 256×144 | 128kbps |
Use lower resolutions and bitrates for longer videos to meet the 16MB limit. Test with different settings to find the optimal balance.
Maintaining Video Quality When Compressing
When compressing video for WhatsApp, you want to reduce the file size as much as possible while maintaining decent video quality. Here are some tips:
- Use two-pass encoding – this analyzes the video then compresses intelligently to maximize quality.
- Lower resolution gradually and test quality.
- Aim for 16:9 aspect ratio as it provides smaller file sizes.
- Lower frame rate to 25 fps if quality loss is acceptable.
- Adjust bitrate settings for optimal quality – higher for complex scenes, lower for simple scenes.
- Use optimal codecs like H.264 which compress efficiently while maintaining quality.
Finding the optimal mix of resolution, bitrate, frame rate and codec settings for each video requires testing. The goal is to get the smallest file size possible while keeping adequate visual quality for the WhatsApp screen size.
Troubleshooting Compression Issues
Here are some common compression issues and solutions:
Problem: Video file still exceeds 16MB
Solutions:
- Lower resolution to minimum of 128×128 pixels
- Lower bitrate to minimum of 128kbps
- Lower frame rate to minimum of 15fps
- Shorten video duration via trimming
Problem: Video lacks clarity/sharpness
Solutions:
- Slightly increase resolution if under 480×480 pixels
- Raise bitrate for more detail and reduce compression artifacts
- Limit frame rate reduction to maintain motion quality
Problem: Video compression is too slow
Solutions:
- Use a video compressor app for faster processing
- Compress on a desktop computer with better hardware
- Lower resolution and bitrate settings to speed up compression
Conclusion
Compressing videos for WhatsApp just requires using the right tools and settings to meet the 16MB file size limit. Reducing resolution and bitrate are the main ways to shrink a video file. With the optimal compression settings, you can share long videos quickly while maintaining decent quality when viewed on a smartphone screen. Testing different resolution and bitrate combinations is key to finding the best balance of file size and quality for each video.