Compress Video for WhatsApp — Under 16MB Free
Last Updated: April 1, 2026
Last updated: 2026-03-12
WhatsApp has a 16MB file size limit for videos (64MB on WhatsApp Web). Your phone records at 30-100MB per minute. The math does not work. Here is how to compress without making the video unwatchable on a phone screen.
WhatsApp Video Limits
| Platform | Max File Size | Max Duration | Recommended Resolution |
|---|---|---|---|
| WhatsApp Mobile | 16 MB | 3 minutes (auto-compressed) | 480p-720p |
| WhatsApp Web | 64 MB | No limit | 720p |
| WhatsApp Status | 16 MB | 30 seconds | 720p |
The WhatsApp Compression Strategy
WhatsApp already compresses videos you send. But its built-in compression is aggressive and unpredictable — sometimes the result looks fine, sometimes it looks terrible. Pre-compressing yourself gives you control over the quality.
- Resolution: 480p for most content. WhatsApp displays videos in a small player on phones. 480p looks identical to 1080p in that player. Going from 1080p to 480p cuts file size by 75%.
- Bitrate: 1-2 Mbps. This is the sweet spot for WhatsApp. Lower and you see artifacts. Higher and you waste bytes that WhatsApp will re-compress anyway.
- Trim first. Cut out unnecessary parts before compressing. A 30-second clip at decent quality beats a 3-minute clip at terrible quality.
Duration vs Quality Trade-off
| Duration | Resolution | Bitrate | Approx Size | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 sec | 720p | 2 Mbps | ~8 MB | Good |
| 1 min | 480p | 1.5 Mbps | ~12 MB | Good |
| 2 min | 480p | 1 Mbps | ~15 MB | Acceptable |
| 3 min | 360p | 0.7 Mbps | ~16 MB | Low but watchable |
Compress your video for WhatsApp — free, instant, optimized for mobile.
Open Video Compressor →Alternative: Send as Document
WhatsApp allows sending files as "documents" up to 2GB. The video will not play inline (the recipient has to download and open it), but there is no compression. For important videos where quality matters, send as document instead of as a video message.
Related Tools
According to WhatsApp FAQ, the maximum file size for media sent through WhatsApp is 16MB on mobile.
As MDN Web Docs explains, H.264 with AAC audio provides the widest compatibility across mobile devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this video tool free?
Yes, all video tools on AI-MP4.com are free to use without any subscription.
What video formats are supported?
We support MP4, MOV, AVI, MKV, WebM, and most common video formats.
How long can my video be?
We support videos up to 2GB or 2 hours in length.
Is my video stored on your servers?
No, videos are processed and immediately deleted. Your privacy is guaranteed.
Does processing happen in the cloud?
Yes, processing is done server-side for fast results on any device.
56.9K
Happy Users
276.9K
Files Processed
4.5 ★
User Rating
Supported Formats
🔗 Frequently Used With
Why Choose This Tool
Files processed in your browser. Nothing uploaded.
AI-powered processing in seconds, not minutes.
No hidden fees, no signup, no limits.
Any device, any browser. No installation needed.
How It Works
Upload
Drop your file or paste content into the input area
Process
Click the button and let AI do the heavy lifting
Download
Get your result instantly, ready to use
User Reviews
"Clean interface, fast processing. Bookmarked and recommended to my team."
Software Engineer"I use this daily for my projects. The best free tool I've found online."
Freelancer"I recommend this to all my students. Simple and effective."
TeacherSimilar Tools