Share videos instantly on WhatsApp with perfect mobile optimization. Squeeze videos under the limit, keep stunning quality. Free, no signup, no watermark.
or click to browse files — up to 500MB free
Target: 16MB for WhatsApp
From your phone, tablet, or computer. We accept MP4, MOV, AVI, MKV, WebM, WMV and 20+ other video formats.
SquishVideo optimizes for mobile screens and 4G/5G networks, creating videos that look perfect on phones.
Get your video in seconds and share to WhatsApp chats, groups, status, or send as documents. Works on any device.
WhatsApp enforces some of the strictest video size limits among messaging platforms, with a 16MB limit for video messages and a 2GB limit for document uploads. This tight constraint is by design—WhatsApp prioritizes speed and accessibility for users worldwide, including those on slow 2G and 3G networks in developing countries. Because of these limits and WhatsApp's mobile-first design, video compression for WhatsApp is a unique challenge that requires understanding both the size constraints and mobile viewing context. SquishVideo is specifically optimized for WhatsApp's ecosystem.
WhatsApp's 16MB limit applies to videos sent as immediate video messages in chats, groups, and status updates. This is the most common way users share videos—recipients see a preview thumbnail and can tap to play immediately without downloading anything. The 16MB limit ensures that even users on slower connections can download and play videos quickly. At typical 720p quality (2-3 Mbps bitrate), 16MB translates to roughly 45 seconds of video. Longer videos require either lower quality, lower resolution, or use of the Document feature.
If you need to share videos longer than 45 seconds at good quality, WhatsApp offers a Document option that allows files up to 2GB. Documents appear as file attachments that users must tap and download individually, without the inline preview. They work for archival, longer tutorials, or full-length videos. The tradeoff: recipients see a file icon instead of a preview, and must take action to download and view. For immediate sharing (like sending a funny clip to friends), the 16MB video message is better. For sharing important or long-form content, the 2GB document option is better.
Unlike Discord or Telegram, which have mixed desktop and mobile user bases, WhatsApp is almost entirely mobile-focused. The vast majority of WhatsApp users access the app exclusively on smartphones with 5-6 inch screens. Videos designed for desktop viewing often waste pixels on detail that's invisible at that screen size. SquishVideo's WhatsApp optimization specifically targets mobile screens, preserving detail and contrast that matters on small displays while aggressively compressing detail that would be invisible. The result: compressed videos look nearly identical to originals on mobile, but files are 75-90% smaller.
WhatsApp users connect over cellular networks (4G, 5G) or WiFi. Even 4G networks have variable speeds and latency. SquishVideo's WhatsApp compression uses variable bitrate encoding that adapts gracefully to network conditions. A video that starts playing over slow 4G will buffer minimally before playback begins, and will continue playing smoothly even if the connection wavers. Fixed-bitrate videos don't adapt this way, leading to stutters and interruptions. Our mobile-optimized compression is designed specifically for this environment.
For 16MB WhatsApp videos, we recommend 480p resolution at 1-1.5 Mbps bitrate. This creates videos that look excellent on phone screens but stay well under 16MB. For videos longer than 45 seconds, either lower the bitrate or reduce to 360p. For very short clips (under 10 seconds), you can go up to 720p and still fit under 16MB. All of this is automatic in SquishVideo—select WhatsApp and we calculate the optimal settings.
For documents, you have much more flexibility. We recommend 720p at 3-4 Mbps for tutorials, how-tos, or longer-form content. Full-length movies can be 1080p at 5 Mbps. Gaming footage works well at 720p with a higher bitrate (5 Mbps) to preserve motion. The key is that whatever you choose, users must manually download—so slightly higher quality is appreciated since they're making an intentional decision to get the file.
A typical smartphone screen is 5.5 inches with 1080p resolution (401 pixels per inch on modern phones). When you show a 720p video on a 1080p phone screen, it upscales slightly—you don't see less detail, just slight soft edges. When you show a 480p video on the same screen, it's still sharp and clear because 480p resolution is actually higher DPI than displayed at that screen size. At normal viewing distance (6-10 inches), the human eye can't distinguish 720p from 1080p, but can notice blurry compression artifacts. SquishVideo's mobile optimization preserves the sharpness that matters while crushing filesize.
WhatsApp Status (similar to Instagram Stories) has the same 16MB video limit for each story but allows posting multiple stories in sequence. Status videos are typically very short (5-15 seconds) and viewed in full-screen on mobile. For Status videos, SquishVideo recommends 720p or even 1080p (the limit is file size, not resolution), with short duration keeping file size manageable. Status videos are viewed by many people and deleted within 24 hours, so quality is valued over archival.
WhatsApp users on limited data plans benefit enormously from compressed videos. A user on a 1GB/month plan can't afford to receive multiple uncompressed videos. Sending a 16MB video instead of 100MB saves that user 84MB of precious data. Multiply by dozens of groups and chats they're in, and compression becomes essential for users in regions with expensive data. By compressing before sending, you're being considerate of recipients' data plans.
In WhatsApp groups with 50+ members, each video is replicated to each member's phone. A 50-person group receiving one uncompressed 100MB video means WhatsApp transfers 5GB of data across the group. Compressed to 16MB, that's 800MB—a 84% reduction in group bandwidth consumption. This matters for group chat health and server load. Groups that share compressed videos function more smoothly than those sharing uncompressed media.
WhatsApp works across iOS (iPhone), Android, Web, and Desktop. SquishVideo's MP4 H.264 output is the most compatible format, working perfectly across all platforms. Videos compressed for WhatsApp on desktop still play perfectly on iPhone and Android. There's no platform-specific optimization needed—your compressed video works everywhere.
WhatsApp's 16MB limit is the tightest among mainstream messengers. Telegram allows 2GB, Discord allows 10MB (free) or 500MB (Nitro), Signal allows 100MB. Email allows 25MB (Gmail). WhatsApp's strict limit reflects its design philosophy: instant, lightweight messaging accessible even in countries with unreliable networks. While this requires the most aggressive compression, it also makes your videos load instantly—no waiting, no buffering, instant gratification.
After downloading from SquishVideo, your video is saved to your device. To share on WhatsApp: open WhatsApp, select a chat, tap the paperclip (+ icon), select "Video", choose your compressed video, add a caption if you want, and send. The same video can be sent to unlimited chats and groups. You can also add compressed videos to your Status by tapping your Status story and selecting the video.
WhatsApp stores received videos in your phone's camera roll. Compressed videos take less storage, so users can keep more videos on their phones without running out of space. A 16GB phone might store 500 uncompressed videos (if WhatsApp allowed them) or 2000 compressed videos. This makes sharing and archival practical for long-term communication.
If you manage a WhatsApp group and regularly share content, compression is essential. Rather than uploading one 100MB video that takes 30 minutes to distribute to 100+ group members, compress it to 16MB and it distributes in 30 seconds. SquishVideo makes batch compression easy—compress multiple videos one by one and upload throughout the day.
SquishVideo optimizes compression for all major messaging and social platforms:
Compress videos for Discord's 10MB free limit or 500MB Nitro. Optimized for gaming communities.
Free: 10MB / Nitro: 500MBCompress videos for Telegram's generous 2GB free limit or 4GB Premium. Works for channels and groups.
Free: 2GB / Premium: 4GBCompress videos for email attachment. Compatible with Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, and all providers.
Gmail: 25MB / Outlook: 20MB