Compress Video for Email, Keep Quality

Q: What is the typical video file size limit for email attachments?

Most major email providers have strict file size limits, typically around 20-25MB. For example, Gmail's limit is 25MB, and Outlook's is 20MB. Any video larger than this will likely be rejected or need to be sent as a cloud storage link instead.

Q: Will compressing a video for email make it look bad?

Not necessarily. Modern compression techniques are very effective at reducing file size while preserving most of the visual quality. By lowering the resolution to something reasonable like 720p and using an efficient video codec like H.264 or H.265, you can create a much smaller file that still looks sharp and clear on most screens.

Q: What's a good target file size for a 1-minute video for email?

For a 1-minute video, aiming for a file size between 15MB and 20MB is a safe bet for email. This can often be achieved by compressing the video to 720p resolution with a bitrate of around 2-3 Mbps. This provides a good balance between quality and ensuring it will pass attachment size limits.

Q: Can I compress a video on my phone to send it?

Yes, you can compress videos directly on your phone. Many mobile video editing apps include compression or export options that allow you to choose a lower resolution or quality setting. Alternatively, you can use an online video compressor like FastlyConvert directly from your phone's web browser to reduce the file size before sending.

Q: What should I do if my video is still too large after compression?

If your video file remains too large for an email attachment even after compression, the best alternative is to use a cloud storage service. Upload the video to a service like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive and then share the link to the video in your email instead of attaching the file directly.

TL;DR: Compress to 480p → under 25MB → attach to email. If your video is longer than 2 minutes, use Google Drive or WeTransfer instead.

Gmail caps attachments at 25MB. Outlook allows 20MB. A 1-minute iPhone video shot at 1080p 60fps is typically 120-200MB. That's 5-10x over the limit. Here's how to make it fit — with actual file sizes and real compression results.

Why Video Files Are So Large

Here's what a 1-minute video typically weighs, depending on quality settings:

Resolution & Frame Rate	Typical 1-min File Size	Notes
4K (3840x2160) @ 60fps	350-500MB	Huge files, rarely needed for email.
1080p (1920x1080) @ 30fps	100-175MB	Standard HD, good for web.
720p (1280x720) @ 30fps	50-90MB	Still HD, good balance of quality and size.
480p (854x480) @ 30fps	20-40MB	DVD quality, often fits smaller email limits.
360p (640x360) @ 30fps	8-15MB	Lowest quality, but almost always fits email.

Your iPhone shoots 1080p at 60fps by default. That's 175-200MB per minute.

What Codec Should You Use?

Use H.264 (also called AVC) — it plays on every device, browser, and email client. H.265 (HEVC) produces files about 30% smaller, but some older Windows PCs and Android phones can't play them. When in doubt, stick with H.264 in an MP4 container.

4 Ways to Compress Video for Email

Here are the most effective strategies to reduce your video file size for email:

1. Drop resolution to 480p

Reducing the resolution has the biggest impact on file size. A video at 480p (854x480) looks perfectly fine on phone screens and significantly reduces the data needed. A 1-minute 1080p video at 60fps might be 175-200MB, but at 480p 30fps, it can be 20-40MB.

2. Trim the clip

Every second of video adds to the file size. Cut out any unnecessary intros, outros, awkward pauses, or irrelevant segments. Only send the part that matters. Even a few seconds can make a difference in fitting under email limits.

3. Lower frame rate to 30fps

If your original video was shot at 60 frames per second (fps), halving it to 30fps can save about 25% of the file size without much noticeable difference for most content. 30fps is standard for most online video.

4. Use an online compressor

Tools like FastlyConvert's online video compressor automate the above settings. They analyze your video and apply optimal compression techniques to reduce file size quickly, often with simple presets or sliders, so you don't need deep technical knowledge.

Real Compression Results

Here's what happened when we compressed a 2-minute iPhone 15 video (1080p, 60fps, original size: 450MB):

Scenario	Resulting Size	Savings	Notes
Compressed to 720p 30fps	85MB	81% smaller	Looks good on laptops and larger screens.
Compressed to 480p 30fps	32MB	93% smaller	Fine for most phone viewing.
Compressed to 360p 30fps	14MB	97% smaller	Fits in email, watchable on phones.
Compressed to 480p + trimmed to 1 min	16MB	96% smaller	Under Gmail's 25MB limit, good quality.

Time taken: about 90 seconds each using FastlyConvert's online compressor.

Optimal Settings for Email

Finding the sweet spot between quality and file size often involves a combination of resolution and bitrate. Here's a general guideline for a 1-minute video clip:

Resolution	Target Bitrate	Estimated 1-min File Size	Notes
360p (640x360)	0.5 - 1 Mbps	3.75 - 7.5 MB	Basic quality, good for very small attachments or previews.
480p (854x480)	1 - 2 Mbps	7.5 - 15 MB	Acceptable quality for general viewing, good balance for email.
720p (1280x720)	2 - 4 Mbps	15 - 30 MB	Good quality, often ideal for professional or detailed content.
1080p (1920x1080)	4 - 8 Mbps	30 - 60 MB	High quality, suitable if email limits are larger or using cloud links.

Common Email Attachment Limits

Always be aware of the attachment limits of popular email providers. Exceeding these limits will result in your email not being sent, or the video being automatically stripped or linked externally by the provider.

Email Provider	Attachment Limit	Notes
Gmail	25 MB	Files over 25MB are automatically converted to Google Drive links.
Outlook.com (Microsoft)	20 MB	Files over 20MB automatically convert to OneDrive links.
Yahoo Mail	25 MB	Can send larger files via Dropbox integration.
iCloud Mail	20 MB	Uses Mail Drop for larger attachments (up to 5GB).
ProtonMail	25 MB	End-to-end encrypted, but subject to standard size limits.

When Compression Isn't Enough: Alternatives to Email

For videos longer than 2 minutes at decent quality, compression alone often can't get you under 25MB. Sharing a link is faster and preserves quality:

Google Drive: Free up to 15GB. Upload, right-click, 'Share', copy link.
WeTransfer: Free up to 2GB per transfer. No account needed. Files expire after 7 days.
Dropbox: Free up to 2GB storage. Share link via email.
iCloud (Apple): Mail Drop handles attachments up to 5GB automatically for Apple users.

For videos over 100MB, sharing a link is almost always better than trying to compress them into an email attachment.

Step-by-Step Compression Guide Using FastlyConvert

FastlyConvert's online video compressor makes reducing video file sizes simple:

Go to FastlyConvert Video Compressor: Open your web browser and navigate to FastlyConvert Video Compressor.
Upload Your Video: Click the "Choose File" button or drag and drop your video file into the designated area.
Select Compression Settings: FastlyConvert provides intuitive options. You can usually choose a target file size percentage, select a new resolution, or adjust the quality/bitrate slider. For email, often a preset for "smaller file size" or reducing resolution to 720p is a good start.
Start Compression: Once you've selected your desired settings, click the "Compress" or "Convert" button. The tool will process your video.
Download Your Compressed Video: After the compression is complete, a download link will appear. Click it to save your newly compressed video to your device.

Your video should now be significantly smaller and ready to attach to your email.

Best Tools for Video Compression

Tool	Price	Pros	Cons
FastlyConvert	Free Online	No installation, fast, simple interface.	Limited advanced settings.
Handbrake	Free Desktop	Powerful presets, high control, batch processing.	Steep learning curve, requires download.
VLC Media Player	Free Desktop	Versatile player, can compress (hidden feature).	Clunky interface, confusing compression settings.
iMovie / Windows Photos	Free Built-in	Easy to use, pre-installed on respective OS.	Limited compression controls, basic options only.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical video file size limit for email attachments?

Most email services enforce strict attachment limits: Gmail caps at 25MB, while Outlook (Microsoft) has a 20MB limit. If your video exceeds these, it won't send as a direct attachment and will likely be converted to a cloud storage link or rejected entirely.

Will compressing a video for email make it look bad?

Not necessarily. When done correctly, compression can reduce file size by 80-90% with minimal perceived quality loss. By dropping resolution to 480p or 360p and using the H.264 codec, your video will still be clear and watchable, especially on mobile devices.

What's a good target file size for a 1-minute video for email?

For a 1-minute video, aim for under 20MB if possible. Our tests show that a 1-minute video at 360p 30fps is around 8-15MB. A 480p 30fps video can be 20-40MB, so some trimming or a slightly lower bitrate might be needed to get it under 20-25MB.

Can I compress a video on my phone to send it?

Yes, most modern smartphones have built-in editing features that allow basic compression (e.g., exporting at a lower resolution like 720p or 480p). You can also use free online tools like FastlyConvert directly from your phone's browser, which can reduce a 150MB video to under 20MB in about 90 seconds without needing an app download.

What should I do if my video is still too large after compression?

If your video (e.g., over 100MB) is still too large after compression for email attachments, always opt for cloud sharing. Upload it to services like Google Drive (15GB free), WeTransfer (2GB free per transfer, no account), or Dropbox (2GB free), then share the link via email. This bypasses attachment limits and preserves full video quality.