WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps, allowing users to send messages, photos, videos, documents and more to individuals or groups. When it comes to sending videos on WhatsApp, one common concern is ensuring you don’t lose video quality by exceeding the maximum file size limit.
WhatsApp Video Size Limit
WhatsApp has a maximum video file size limit of 16MB per video. Any videos larger than 16MB cannot be sent as an attachment through WhatsApp. If you attempt to send a video over 16MB, WhatsApp will automatically compress the video to fit under the size limit. This compression typically results in a significant reduction in video quality and resolution.
The 16MB file size limit applies to videos recorded directly within the WhatsApp app and to video files attached from your phone’s gallery or storage. Even if the original video was high resolution and under 16MB, WhatsApp may still compress it further to optimize it for sharing through their platform.
Avoiding Video Compression
To avoid unwanted video compression and quality loss from WhatsApp, you need to ensure your video files are under 16MB before sending. Here are some tips to keep videos under the size limit:
- Record shorter videos – Longer videos tend to be larger files, so keep videos under a few minutes.
- Use lower resolution settings – Recording video at 720p or 480p will produce smaller files than 1080p or 4K.
- Choose efficient codecs – Newer codecs like H.264 and H.265 compress better than older ones.
- Use lower frame rates – A frame rate of 30fps will be smaller than 60fps.
- Avoid unnecessary audio tracks – Mono audio takes up half the space of stereo.
- Compress the video – Use video compression software to reduce file size before uploading.
- Trim excess footage – Edit out unnecessary sections to shorten the video.
- Send shorter clips – Split long videos into 15 second or 30 second clips to send separately.
Recommended Video Settings
Based on WhatsApp’s 16MB limit, here are some recommended video settings to use when recording videos you intend to send:
- Resolution: 720p HD (1280 x 720 pixels)
- Frame Rate: 30 fps
- Codec: H.264
- Bitrate: 2-3 Mbps
- Audio: AAC stereo 128 kbps
With these settings, you can produce great looking 720p HD videos that stay under the 16MB threshold for sending over WhatsApp without quality loss. The combination of 720p resolution, 30 fps frame rate, and 2-3 Mbps bitrate provides a good balance of quality and reasonable file size.
You may be able to use slightly higher 1080p resolution if you lower the frame rate and bitrate accordingly. However, 720p is typically sufficient for the small smartphone screens most people view WhatsApp videos on.
Other WhatsApp Video Guidelines
In addition to the 16MB file size limit, WhatsApp also imposes some other restrictions on videos sent through their platform:
- Maximum duration: 30 seconds for status videos, 5 minutes for attached videos
- Minimum dimensions: 128×128 pixels
- Maximum dimensions: 1280×720 pixels
- Aspect ratios: Recommended 9:16 or 3:4
- File formats: MP4, 3GPP
Keeping your video within these guidelines will prevent WhatsApp from needing to compress or alter the video when you upload it. Overall, the best WhatsApp video size is under 16MB, at 720p resolution, H.264 codec, 30fps, and with mono or stereo audio.
You may be able to use slightly higher 1080p resolution in some cases depending on the video content. But 720p is a good target resolution to ensure widespread compatibility.
Using Video Compression Software
If you have a high quality video that exceeds 16MB, you can use video compression software to reduce the size before uploading to WhatsApp. Some options include:
Handbrake
Handbrake is a free and open source video compression tool available for Windows, Mac and Linux. It supports a wide range of video codecs and options. You can import your video into Handbrake, then adjust the settings to achieve a smaller file size for WhatsApp.
Avidemux
Avidemux is another free video processing program that allows compressing, cutting and filtering videos to optimize them for WhatsApp. It supports common formats like MP4, AVI and more.
Adobe Media Encoder
Part of Adobe’s Creative Cloud suite, Media Encoder gives you advanced compression tools including presets optimized for sharing videos on social media platforms like WhatsApp.
VLC Media Player
The popular VLC Media Player includes basic compression functionality. Open your video in VLC, then go to Media > Convert/Save and select MP4 as the format. Adjust settings like resolution to achieve a smaller file size.
Online Compression Tools
There are various websites that provide online video compression services for free. You can simply upload your video and configure the target resolution and size for WhatsApp compatibility.
Maximum Resolution for WhatsApp Video Calls
When using WhatsApp’s video calling feature, the maximum resolution also depends on the capabilities of the device being used:
- iPhone – Up to 720p HD resolution
- Android – Up to 480p resolution
- WhatsApp Web – Up to 720p HD resolution
For best results on video calls, all parties should use a stable high speed internet connection for optimum video quality without glitches or lag. Using WhatsApp’s video calling over Wi-Fi will provide better resolution than mobile data.
Third-Party Apps for Large WhatsApp Videos
If you need to share videos larger than 16MB over WhatsApp, there are some third-party apps that can assist with this by providing external hosting. Some options include:
Google Drive
Upload your large video to Google Drive, then create a shareable link to send via WhatsApp instead of attaching the file directly. Users can view the Google Drive video in high quality.
Telegram
Telegram allows uploading video files up to 2GB in size. You can send your large videos through Telegram instead, then share the Telegram link with WhatsApp users.
Upload your video to Facebook and set privacy to “Public”. Share the Facebook video link to WhatsApp contacts so they can view it at full quality.
Streamable
Streamable is a video sharing service that allows uploading large files. You can generate a shareable link to send in WhatsApp messages after uploading your video to Streamable.
Conclusion
To summarize, the maximum video size for sending over WhatsApp without quality loss is 16MB. This limits videos to around 3-5 minutes in length at 720p resolution and 30fps frame rate. To ensure your videos stay under 16MB, use recommended settings like 720p, H.264 codec, 2-3 Mbps bitrate and 30fps frame rate. If you need to share larger high-quality videos, utilize a third-party hosting service like Google Drive or Streamable, then share the link instead of attaching the video file directly in WhatsApp.