WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, with over 2 billion users globally. One of the key features of WhatsApp is the ability to send and receive videos in chats and groups. But what video formats does WhatsApp actually support?
In this article, we’ll take a detailed look at the video formats and specifications supported by WhatsApp. We’ll cover the types of video files you can send, recommended formats and settings to use, maximum video sizes allowed, and any compression or conversions that happen behind the scenes when sending and receiving videos.
Whether you’re a regular WhatsApp user sending videos to friends and family, or a business looking to use WhatsApp for marketing video content, this guide will help you understand exactly which video files will work on the platform.
WhatsApp Video Format Overview
WhatsApp supports most common video formats like MP4, MOV, and MKV. However, there are some specific limitations and recommendations for the best video quality and compatibility:
– MP4 video with H.264 video codec and AAC audio codec is the recommended format to use for WhatsApp.
– Video resolution should be 720p HD (1280 x 720) or lower for best compatibility. Higher resolutions may cause quality loss.
– Avoid very high video bitrates above 10 Mbps as WhatsApp may compress higher bitrate videos.
– Maximum video file size is 16MB if sending directly in chat, and 64MB if uploading as a document. Longer videos will need compression to reduce file size.
– Aspect ratios between 1:1 and 16:9 are supported. Vertical videos and other aspect ratios will be cropped into landscape format.
– Total length of video files is limited to 6 minutes for chat messages. Longer videos can be sent as documents.
So in summary, MP4 or MOV files at 720p resolution, moderate bitrates, and under 16MB in size are recommended for sending high quality yet compatible videos through WhatsApp messaging and chat.
Supported Video Codecs
When sending videos through WhatsApp, the file goes through automatic compression and conversion to ensure compatibility across devices. This involves transcoding the video and audio into WhatsApp’s preferred codecs.
Here are the video and audio codecs supported when receiving and viewing videos on WhatsApp:
Video Codecs
– H.264 – This is the most widely supported video codec across mobile devices and is WhatsApp’s recommended video encoding format. Videos encoded in other codecs will be transcoded into H.264 during upload.
– H.265 (HEVC) – WhatsApp also supports the newer and more efficient HEVC video codec. However, device support is still limited, so H.264 is the safer choice.
– MPEG-4 – Older videos encoded in MPEG-4 formats are supported but may lose quality during conversion to H.264.
Audio Codecs
– AAC – WhatsApp compresses audio into the AAC format at 128kbps bitrate. Other audio codecs are transcoded to AAC.
– MP3 – MP3 audio is also supported but converted to AAC during upload for better compression.
– MPEG – Similar to MP3, MPEG audio is converted to AAC when received by WhatsApp.
So for maximum compatibility and to avoid multiple lossy conversions, encoding videos in H.264 + AAC before sending to WhatsApp chat is the optimal workflow.
Maximum Video Size and Length
WhatsApp limits the file size and duration of videos sent in chats to ensure they don’t saturate users’ bandwidth and storage. The maximum limits depend on whether videos are sent directly or uploaded as documents:
Maximum size for videos sent in chat
– 16MB when sending videos directly in chat messages.
Maximum size for videos sent as documents
– 64MB when uploading videos as documents.
Maximum length of videos in chat
– 6 minutes (360 seconds) per video when sending directly in chats.
Maximum length of video documents
– No length limit when uploading videos as documents.
If your video exceeds these limits, WhatsApp will automatically compress and downsample the video to fit within the constraints. This could negatively impact video quality.
So for best quality results, we recommend:
– Keep videos shorter than 6 minutes when sending directly in chat.
– Use video resolution of 720p or lower to control file size.
– Maintain video bitrate under 10Mbps to avoid excessive compression artifacts.
Following these best practices will ensure your recipients can enjoy your videos in full quality up to the platform limits.
WhatsApp Video Upload Process
When you send a video on WhatsApp, it undergoes the following process:
1. Local Compression
– WhatsApp will compress and downsample large or high resolution videos to 720p to reduce upload size if needed. Bitrate may also be lowered.
2. Transcoding
– Video and audio streams are transcoded into WhatsApp’s preferred formats – H.264 video and AAC audio.
3. Deduplication
– Files are checked against hashes of previously sent media to avoid duplicates.
4. Encryption
– Videos are encrypted using end-to-end encryption for secure transfer.
5. Upload to Server
– The optimized and encrypted video file is uploaded to WhatsApp’s servers.
6. Distribution
– It is then distributed to the recipient’s device for decryption and viewing.
This automated process means you can send almost any video file while trusting WhatsApp to handle optimization and conversion to ensure smooth delivery.
How WhatsApp Reduces Video Size
When faced with oversized video files, WhatsApp uses the following techniques to reduce video size during upload:
Video Compression
– Video bitrate and quality levels are lowered to reduce file size. This saves on bandwidth usage but may affect quality.
Reduced Resolution
– Videos exceeding 720p resolution are downscaled to 1280×720 or lower resolutions like 480p or 360p.
Reduced Frame Rate
– Lower frame rates require less data. WhatsApp may reduce frame rate from 30fps to 24fps or lower.
Audio Compression
– Audio is transcoded to AAC format at 128kbps to save space. Higher quality audio may be compressed.
Trimming Excess Footage
– For very long videos, WhatsApp may trim excess content from the middle to meet size limits.
Advanced Compression Algorithms
– Efficient video codecs like H.265 and predictive coding reduce file sizes through smarter compression.
The combination of these techniques allows WhatsApp to find the optimal balance between compression and retaining video quality when delivering your clips.
Maintaining Video Quality
To avoid excessive compression and quality loss when sending videos on WhatsApp, follow these best practices:
– Use recommended resolution of 720p HD at moderate bitrates around 4-5Mbps.
– Prefer MP4 or MOV formats with H.264 codec which won’t require conversion.
– Keep video clips shorter than 6 minutes and size under 16MB when sending directly in chats.
– For longer videos, upload as a document which has 64MB size limit.
– Avoid ultra HD or 4K resolutions which will be downscaled anyway.
– Don’t add letterboxing or pillarboxing black bars which just wastes space.
– Be mindful of low light or grainy footage which compresses poorly.
– Use dedicated video editing software to preprocess your clips before uploading.
Following these guidelines will ensure you deliver great looking, full quality videos within WhatsApp’s bandwidth constraints. Take advantage of the large reach of WhatsApp while also understanding its limitations.
Cropping and Scaling of Non-Standard Videos
WhatsApp automatically crops and scales videos that have aspect ratios different from the standard widescreen formats:
Vertical Videos
– Tall 9:16 vertical videos are cropped horizontally to fit 16:9 landscape frame. Top and bottom parts are cut off.
Square 1:1 Videos
– Square videos are scaled up 2x and centered with black bars to fit 16:9 horizontal frame.
Ultrawide 21:9 Videos
– Ultrawide cinema videos are pillarboxed with black bars on the sides to avoid cropping.
Other Aspect Ratios
– Odd-sized videos are centered and letterboxed within a 16:9 landscape frame.
While WhatsApp does its best to frame the video completely, excessive cropping or scaling may not be ideal. Sticking to standard widescreen 16:9 aspect ratios gives you full control over the final framing.
Conclusion
To recap, WhatsApp works best with MP4 or MOV video files encoded using H.264 video and AAC audio up to 720p HD resolution and under 16MB in size when messaging directly. Following WhatsApp’s recommended formats and limits allows you to deliver great looking videos reliably across the massive reach of its platform. Utilize WhatsApp’s automated compression and conversion systems to simplify sharing while optimizing videos beforehand to avoid excessive quality loss. With over a billion daily video views, WhatsApp’s widespread compatibility makes it easy to share your memorable video moments.
| Video Codec | Recommended |
|---|---|
| H.264 | Yes |
| H.265 | Limited support |
| MPEG-4 | Supported but may lose quality |
| Audio Codec | Recommended |
|---|---|
| AAC | Yes |
| MP3 | Converted to AAC |
| MPEG | Converted to AAC |
| Send Method | Max Size | Max Length |
|---|---|---|
| In Chat | 16MB | 6 mins |
| As Document | 64MB | No limit |
| Aspect Ratio | WhatsApp Handling |
|---|---|
| Vertical 9:16 | Cropped to 16:9 |
| Square 1:1 | Scaled and letterboxed to 16:9 |
| Ultrawide 21:9 | Pillarboxed to 16:9 |
| Other | Letterboxed to 16:9 |