WhatsApp Video Sharing: Know the Limits
WhatsApp is the world's most popular messaging app with over 2 billion users, and sharing video is one of its core features. But WhatsApp imposes strict file size and format limits that catch many users off guard — you record a video, try to share it, and either WhatsApp compresses it to unwatchable quality or refuses to send it entirely.
Understanding WhatsApp's requirements lets you prepare videos that arrive looking sharp without any surprises. This guide covers every aspect of WhatsApp video sharing: message attachments, Status videos, document sharing, and the exact settings that produce the best quality within WhatsApp's constraints.
WhatsApp Video Limits at a Glance
| Feature | Limit | Best Format | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video attachment (message) | 16 MB | MP4 (H.264 + AAC) | WhatsApp further compresses if original exceeds ~16 MB |
| Document sharing | 2 GB | Any format | Sent as file, no preview or inline playback |
| WhatsApp Status | 30 seconds, 16 MB | MP4 (H.264 + AAC) | Auto-cropped to 9:16 vertical |
| Video call recording | N/A (local) | Device default | Varies by phone |
| HD Quality toggle | ~16 MB | MP4 | Available since 2023; sends at higher resolution |
The key number is 16 MB. When you share a video as a message attachment, WhatsApp limits the file to approximately 16 MB. If your video exceeds this, WhatsApp automatically compresses it — often aggressively, resulting in blurry, blocky footage.
The workaround for larger files is the document sharing feature (the paperclip icon > Document), which supports files up to 2 GB. However, videos sent as documents do not play inline in the chat — the recipient must download and open them separately.
Pro Tip: WhatsApp introduced an HD Quality option in 2023 that sends videos at higher resolution (up to 720p instead of the default ~480p compression). When sending a video, tap the HD button at the top of the preview screen. This still has the 16 MB limit but allocates more bitrate to quality rather than aggressive compression.
The Best Video Format for WhatsApp
The optimal format is MP4 with H.264 video and AAC audio. This combination is natively supported on every phone, plays inline in WhatsApp chats, and generates the smallest files at acceptable quality.
Recommended Settings
| Setting | Recommended Value | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Container | MP4 | Universal compatibility |
| Video Codec | H.264 (Baseline or Main profile) | Hardware decode on all phones |
| Resolution | 720p (1280x720) or lower | WhatsApp downscales higher anyway |
| Video Bitrate | 800-1500 kbps | Fits 16 MB for 1-3 minutes |
| Frame Rate | 30 fps | Standard for mobile; 60 fps doubles size |
| Audio Codec | AAC | Universal support |
| Audio Bitrate | 96-128 kbps | Good quality for voice and music |
| Audio Channels | Mono or Stereo | Mono saves space, stereo for music |
For an in-depth understanding of these settings, see our video bitrate explained guide and frame rate guide.
How Long Can a Video Be for 16 MB?
The maximum duration depends on your quality settings. Here are realistic estimates:
| Resolution | Video Bitrate | Audio Bitrate | Max Duration for 16 MB |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p | 2000 kbps | 128 kbps | ~58 seconds |
| 720p | 1200 kbps | 128 kbps | ~1 min 36 sec |
| 720p | 800 kbps | 96 kbps | ~2 min 22 sec |
| 480p | 600 kbps | 96 kbps | ~3 min 3 sec |
| 480p | 400 kbps | 64 kbps | ~4 min 38 sec |
| 360p | 300 kbps | 64 kbps | ~5 min 50 sec |
Method 1: Compress Video for WhatsApp Online
The fastest way to prepare a video for WhatsApp. Our video compressor has a preset specifically for messaging apps:
- Open the video compressor.
- Upload your video.
- The compressor automatically targets a size under 16 MB.
- Download and share via WhatsApp.
Alternatively, use the MP4 converter if your video is in a format WhatsApp does not support (like MKV, AVI, or MOV).
Method 2: Compress with FFmpeg
Quick Compression for WhatsApp
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -c:v libx264 -crf 28 -preset fast \
-vf "scale='min(1280,iw)':'min(720,ih)':force_original_aspect_ratio=decrease" \
-c:a aac -b:a 96k -ac 1 -r 30 \
-movflags +faststart output_whatsapp.mp4
Target Exact File Size (16 MB)
Use two-pass encoding to precisely hit the target:
# Calculate bitrate for your video duration
# Formula: bitrate = (16 * 8192) / duration_seconds - audio_bitrate
# Example for 2-minute video: (16 * 8192) / 120 - 96 = ~996 kbps
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -c:v libx264 -b:v 996k -pass 1 \
-vf "scale='min(1280,iw)':'min(720,ih)':force_original_aspect_ratio=decrease" \
-an -f null /dev/null && \
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -c:v libx264 -b:v 996k -pass 2 \
-vf "scale='min(1280,iw)':'min(720,ih)':force_original_aspect_ratio=decrease" \
-c:a aac -b:a 96k -r 30 \
-movflags +faststart output_whatsapp.mp4
Aggressive Compression for Longer Videos (5+ Minutes)
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -c:v libx264 -crf 32 -preset fast \
-vf "scale=640:360:force_original_aspect_ratio=decrease" \
-c:a aac -b:a 64k -ac 1 -r 24 \
-movflags +faststart output_whatsapp.mp4
Pro Tip: When the video is primarily a talking head (video call recording, vlog, message), convert the audio to mono (-ac 1) and use 64 kbps. Human speech compresses excellently at low bitrates, and the file size savings let you allocate more bits to the video track where they matter more.
Method 3: Trim Before Compressing
Often the most effective approach is trimming the video down to just the essential part before compressing. Our video trimmer lets you cut precisely:
# Trim to the best 30 seconds, then compress
ffmpeg -ss 00:01:30 -t 00:00:30 -i input.mp4 \
-c:v libx264 -crf 24 -vf "scale=1280:720" \
-c:a aac -b:a 128k -movflags +faststart clip_whatsapp.mp4
A 30-second clip at 720p with decent quality easily fits under 16 MB.
WhatsApp Status Video Settings
WhatsApp Status is similar to Instagram Stories — vertical video that disappears after 24 hours. The requirements are:
- Duration: Maximum 30 seconds
- Aspect ratio: 9:16 (vertical) recommended; other ratios are cropped
- File size: Under 16 MB
- Format: MP4 (H.264 + AAC)
# Convert for WhatsApp Status (vertical, 30 seconds max)
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -t 30 \
-vf "crop=ih*9/16:ih,scale=720:1280" \
-c:v libx264 -crf 24 -c:a aac -b:a 96k \
-movflags +faststart status_video.mp4
For vertical video techniques, see our tutorial on how to change video aspect ratio. Our crop video tool provides a visual interface for adjusting the crop area.
Sending Longer/Larger Videos via WhatsApp
When your video exceeds the 16 MB limit and you do not want to compress it aggressively:
Option 1: Send as Document
Tap the attachment icon (paperclip), select Document, and choose your video file. This sends files up to 2 GB without any compression. The downside: no inline preview, and the recipient must download the full file before watching.
Option 2: Split into Multiple Parts
# Split a 5-minute video into 1-minute segments
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -c copy -f segment \
-segment_time 60 -reset_timestamps 1 \
"part_%03d.mp4"
Send each part as a separate message. This preserves inline playback.
Option 3: Share a Link
Upload your video to Google Drive, Dropbox, or our platform, and share the link via WhatsApp. The recipient can stream or download at full quality.
Converting Common Formats for WhatsApp
WhatsApp supports MP4, 3GP, AVI, and MKV — but MP4 is the only format that works reliably across all devices and produces inline previews. Convert other formats first:
MOV to WhatsApp-Ready MP4
ffmpeg -i input.mov -c:v libx264 -crf 26 \
-vf "scale='min(1280,iw)':'min(720,ih)':force_original_aspect_ratio=decrease" \
-c:a aac -b:a 96k -movflags +faststart output.mp4
See our MOV to MP4 guide for more options.
MKV to WhatsApp-Ready MP4
ffmpeg -i input.mkv -c:v libx264 -crf 26 \
-vf "scale='min(1280,iw)':'min(720,ih)':force_original_aspect_ratio=decrease" \
-c:a aac -b:a 96k -movflags +faststart output.mp4
See our MKV to MP4 guide for advanced options including subtitle handling.
WebM to WhatsApp-Ready MP4
ffmpeg -i input.webm -c:v libx264 -crf 26 \
-c:a aac -b:a 96k -movflags +faststart output.mp4
See our WebM to MP4 guide for details.
Our video converter handles all of these conversions online with no software to install.
WhatsApp vs Other Platforms: Video Limits Compared
| Platform | Max File Size | Max Duration | Best Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| WhatsApp (message) | 16 MB | No hard limit (size-dependent) | MP4 H.264 |
| WhatsApp (document) | 2 GB | No limit | Any |
| Telegram | 2 GB | No limit | MP4 |
| iMessage | 100 MB (compresses beyond) | No limit | MP4/MOV |
| Facebook Messenger | 25 MB | No limit | MP4 |
| Instagram DM | 15 MB | 15 min | MP4 |
| Email (Gmail) | 25 MB | No limit | MP4 |
For email-specific video tips, see our best video format for email guide.
Quality Preservation Tips
To get the best-looking video within WhatsApp's 16 MB limit:
- Start with the highest quality source. Compressing an already-compressed video introduces double the artifacts. See our guide on compressing video without losing quality.
- Use H.264 Baseline profile for the widest device compatibility.
- Prefer 720p over 1080p. WhatsApp downscales to ~720p anyway, so sending 1080p just wastes bits on resolution that gets discarded.
- Use mono audio for speech content. Most phone speakers are mono anyway.
- Avoid complex transitions and effects. Rapid scene changes and particle effects require more bitrate to encode cleanly.
- Use
-movflags +faststartso the video starts playing immediately when received.
Pro Tip: If you regularly share videos on WhatsApp, create a saved FFmpeg preset script on your computer. Save the compression command as compress_for_whatsapp.sh and just drag files onto it. For bulk processing, see our batch processing guide.
Troubleshooting WhatsApp Video Issues
"This video is too large"
Your video exceeds the 16 MB limit. Compress it using the methods above, or send as a Document.
Video appears blurry after sending
WhatsApp re-compressed the video. To prevent this, compress it yourself to under 16 MB before sending — WhatsApp will not re-compress files that are already under the limit.
Video plays with no sound
The audio codec may not be supported. Convert to AAC audio: ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -c:v copy -c:a aac -b:a 128k output.mp4.
Video will not play on recipient's phone
The video may use an incompatible codec (H.265, VP9). Convert to H.264: use our video converter or the FFmpeg commands above.
Video orientation is wrong
Add the rotation metadata fix: ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -c copy -metadata:s:v rotate=0 output.mp4. If you need to physically rotate the video, use our rotate video tool.
Summary
The best video format for WhatsApp is MP4 with H.264 video and AAC audio at 720p resolution. Keep file sizes under 16 MB by adjusting bitrate, resolution, and duration. For the quickest results, use our video compressor which automatically optimizes for WhatsApp's limits.
Key takeaways:
- 16 MB is the practical limit for video messages with inline playback.
- 720p at 30 fps is the sweet spot for quality within the size limit.
- Send as Document (up to 2 GB) when you need to share full-quality footage.
- WhatsApp Status requires vertical 9:16 video, maximum 30 seconds.
- Always compress videos yourself before sending to prevent WhatsApp's aggressive automatic compression.
Use our video converter to handle format conversion, the video compressor for size reduction, and the video trimmer to cut your clips to the perfect length.
