tooloora

Compress Video for WhatsApp — under the 16 MB limit

Target size preset to 16 MB, the limit WhatsApp states for media. Cap the height to 720p and the clip usually fits — locally, no upload.

Runs locally — nothing is uploaded

Drop a video file here or click

MP4, MOV, WebM or MKV · one file · stays local

Runs locally in your browser – no upload.

Up to 30 minutes per video – longer material exceeds the browser's memory and your patience.

How do I get a video under the WhatsApp limit?

Drop the file — the target size is already set to 16 MB. Cap the height at 720p, keep the audio and export. The video is re-encoded in your browser, nothing is uploaded, and afterwards you see whether the 16 MB were really met. Then you send the file through WhatsApp as usual.

How big may a WhatsApp video be?

WhatsApp states 16 MB for media on all platforms, which is about 90 seconds to 3 minutes of video depending on quality (WhatsApp Help Center, "Why can't I send long videos in WhatsApp?", checked in July 2026). Attached as a document, different rules apply: WhatsApp then skips its own compression and allows far larger files, up to 2 GB according to WhatsApp — but the recipient has to download it instead of playing it inline.

How long may my clip be for 16 MB?

Work backwards: 16,000,000 bytes × 8 ÷ seconds gives the allowed bitrate. At 60 seconds that is roughly 2.1 Mbit/s for picture and sound; at 120 seconds only 1.1 Mbit/s. The first number is fine for decent 720p, the second is already tight. So: trim first, compress second.

Why does my video still look worse after sending?

Because WhatsApp compresses media a second time on the way out, to keep transfers small. Sending an already small 720p file limits the damage — a huge 4K clip gets squeezed much harder. If quality matters more to you than the inline preview, send the video as a document.

Honest limits

An encoder only approximates its bitrate target, so the tool measures the finished file and tells you when 16 MB were narrowly missed. If it does not fit, trim the clip, use 480p instead of 720p, or drop the audio (about 1 MB per minute). Processing takes roughly as long as the video runs, and the tab has to stay open while it does.

Frequently asked questions

Is my video uploaded to compress it for WhatsApp?

No. The whole conversion runs in your browser on your own device — which is the point when you are about to send a private clip to family or friends. Nothing is stored, nothing is transferred.

How big may a WhatsApp video be?

WhatsApp states 16 MB for media on all platforms, which is about 90 seconds to 3 minutes of video depending on quality (WhatsApp Help Center, 'Why can't I send long videos in WhatsApp?', checked in July 2026). That is why the target size here is preset to 16 MB.

Can I send a bigger video anyway?

Yes, as a document: attached that way, WhatsApp skips its own compression and allows far larger files — up to 2 GB according to WhatsApp. The recipient then has to download it instead of playing it inline, and some devices refuse to preview it.

Why does WhatsApp shrink my video even more?

Because it compresses media a second time on the way out to keep transfers small. Sending an already small, 720p file limits how much damage that does — a huge 4K clip gets squeezed much harder and looks noticeably worse.

What if 16 MB is not enough for my clip?

Then shorten it first: bitrate is size divided by time, so half the length doubles the quality budget. Capping the height at 720p is the second lever, and dropping the audio track frees roughly 1 MB per minute.