Why does WhatsApp shrink my video anyway?
WhatsApp re-encodes what you send, and it does that on top of whatever it receives. Sending a file that already fits means it has less to take away, so the version your friend sees stays closer to the original.
Can I send a longer video as a document?
Yes, and that route allows up to 2 GB — but it arrives as a file to download rather than a clip to play in the chat. If you want it to play inline, it has to fit the 16 MB.
How large can a file be?
Video compression stops at 2 GB — files above that are turned down before the run starts. Below that, the deciding factor is your device's memory rather than a rule we set: a computer handles far more than an older phone.
How do I make a video small enough for WhatsApp?
Choose the WhatsApp preset. It aims for 16 MB, the limit for a video inside a chat, and works out resolution and quality for you.
Why is the email target smaller than the stated limit?
Attachments are Base64 encoded and grow by roughly a third on the way. A 25 MB file arrives as about 33 MB and bounces off a 25 MB limit, so the Gmail preset aims for 18 MB and Outlook for 14 MB.
Why are AVI and MKV not accepted?
The browser cannot decode those containers reliably. Accepting them would mean a run that fails halfway through, so they are turned down straight away instead.
Does the video lose quality?
Only when it has to be re-encoded. Cutting, joining and removing the sound track copy the picture data unchanged, so those are lossless. Compressing and adding a watermark do re-encode, which is why they take longer.
How long may a video be?
There is no fixed limit. What decides is the memory of your device: a phone manages a few minutes comfortably, a computer handles far more. If a long video fails, splitting it first and working on the parts usually helps.
Are my files uploaded to a server?
No. The whole job runs inside your browser, on your own device. Your file never travels over the network, so there is nothing for us to store, read or lose.
Does it cost anything?
No. There is no account, no trial and no upload limit tied to a plan. A short ad may appear before a download and helps keep the tools available.
Does this work on a phone?
Yes, on Android and on iPhone — the browser does the work, so nothing needs installing. What exactly is possible depends on the codecs your browser and device support; the tool checks that and says so before you start.