WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging platforms in the world, with over 2 billion monthly active users. One of the most used features on WhatsApp is sending videos to friends, family, and colleagues. But have you ever wondered what is the limit to send video on WhatsApp? In this article, we will explore the limits of sending videos on WhatsApp and provide you with all the details you need to know.
WhatsApp Video Size Limit
WhatsApp has a limit on the size of videos you can send. The maximum video size you can send on WhatsApp is 16 MB. This means that if your video file is larger than 16 MB, you won’t be able to send it on WhatsApp. The 16 MB limit is applicable to both individual and group chats.
Why 16 MB?
You might be wondering why WhatsApp has set a limit of 16 MB for video files. The reason is to ensure that videos are compressed and optimized for fast downloading and uploading. WhatsApp’s video compression algorithm reduces the video quality to minimize the file size, making it easier to send and receive videos.
Compressing Videos for WhatsApp
If your video is larger than 16 MB, you can compress it using various video compression tools available online. There are also mobile apps that can compress videos for you. Compressing a video reduces its quality, but it makes it smaller in size, making it suitable for sending on WhatsApp.
Tips for Compressing Videos
Here are some tips for compressing videos:
- Use a video compression tool or app that preserves the video quality as much as possible.
- Convert the video to a lower resolution, such as 480p or 360p.
- Reduce the frame rate to 15-20 fps.
- Use a codec like H.264 or VP9, which provides better compression than other codecs.
WhatsApp Video Duration Limit
In addition to the file size limit, WhatsApp also has a limit on the duration of videos you can send. The maximum video duration you can send on WhatsApp is 3 minutes. This means that if your video is longer than 3 minutes, you won’t be able to send it on WhatsApp.
Why 3 Minutes?
The 3-minute limit is likely due to WhatsApp’s focus on short-form, conversational videos. WhatsApp is designed for quick sharing of moments from your daily life, and 3 minutes is a reasonable duration for a short video clip.
Sending Longer Videos on WhatsApp
If you want to send a longer video on WhatsApp, you can try the following:
- Trim the video to 3 minutes or less using a video editing app.
- Split the video into multiple parts and send them separately.
- Share a link to the video on a cloud storage service like Google Drive or Dropbox.
WhatsApp Video Resolution Limit
WhatsApp also has a limit on the resolution of videos you can send. The maximum video resolution supported by WhatsApp is 1080p (1920×1080 pixels). This means that if your video is recorded at a higher resolution, such as 4K or 2K, it will be downscaled to 1080p when you send it on WhatsApp.
Why 1080p?
The 1080p limit is likely due to the majority of smartphones supporting up to 1080p resolution. WhatsApp wants to ensure that videos are displayed correctly on most devices, and 1080p is a widely supported resolution.
Sending 4K Videos on WhatsApp
If you want to send a 4K video on WhatsApp, you can try the following:
- Downscale the video to 1080p using a video editing app.
- Share a link to the video on a cloud storage service like Google Drive or Dropbox.
- Use a third-party video sharing service that supports 4K videos.
WhatsApp Video File Format Limit
WhatsApp supports a limited set of video file formats. The supported formats are MP4, AVI, and 3GP. This means that if your video is in a different format, such as MOV or FLV, you won’t be able to send it on WhatsApp.
Why MP4, AVI, and 3GP?
The reason WhatsApp supports these formats is that they are widely used and compatible with most devices. MP4, AVI, and 3GP are also compressed formats, which makes them smaller in size and easier to send over the internet.
Converting Video Files for WhatsApp
If your video is in a different format, you can convert it to MP4, AVI, or 3GP using a video conversion tool or app. There are many online conversion tools and apps available that can convert videos to supported formats.
Conclusion
In conclusion, WhatsApp has several limits when it comes to sending videos. The limits include a file size limit of 16 MB, a duration limit of 3 minutes, a resolution limit of 1080p, and a limited set of supported file formats. By understanding these limits, you can compress, trim, and convert your videos to make them compatible with WhatsApp.
Final Tips
- Always compress your videos to minimize the file size.
- Trim your videos to 3 minutes or less for easy sharing.
- Use a supported file format like MP4, AVI, or 3GP.
- Share links to longer or higher-resolution videos on cloud storage services.
By following these tips, you can easily share videos with your friends and family on WhatsApp.
How much video can I send on WhatsApp?
You can send videos up to 16MB in size on WhatsApp. This limitation is in place to ensure that videos are optimized for sending over mobile networks and to prevent large files from being sent, which can lead to upload and download issues. The 16MB limit is a good balance between quality and convenience, allowing you to share short to medium-length videos with your friends and family.
While 16MB may seem like a small size, it’s actually quite sufficient for most video sharing needs. You can easily send short clips, funny moments, or even short tutorials without any issues. However, if you need to send longer or higher-quality videos, you may need to consider alternative methods such as cloud sharing or file transfer services.
Can I send longer videos on WhatsApp?
Unfortunately, WhatsApp has a strict limit of 16MB for video files, which translates to around 3-4 minutes of video depending on the resolution and quality. If you try to send a larger video file, WhatsApp will automatically trim it down to 16MB or prompt you to compress it before sending. While this may be frustrating, it’s essential to maintain the app’s performance and prevent large files from clogging up your chats.
If you need to send longer videos, consider breaking them up into smaller clips or using a third-party video editing app to compress the file size. You can also consider sharing a link to the video instead of sending the file itself, especially if it’s already uploaded to a cloud storage service or video sharing platform.
Why do videos get compressed on WhatsApp?
WhatsApp compresses videos to reduce their file size, making them easier to send and receive over mobile networks. This compression helps to maintain a smooth user experience by reducing the time it takes to upload and download videos. Compression also helps to save data and reduce the strain on your device’s storage.
While compression can affect the video quality, WhatsApp’s algorithms are designed to minimize the loss of quality while still reducing the file size. This means that the compressed video should still look decent on most devices, although it may not be as crisp as the original file. If you’re concerned about video quality, consider sharing links to the original file or using alternative file transfer services.
Can I send 4K videos on WhatsApp?
Unfortunately, WhatsApp does not support sending 4K videos. The app’s video compression algorithms are optimized for standard HD resolutions (up to 1080p), and sending 4K videos would result in extremely large file sizes that would be difficult to send and receive. Additionally, most mobile devices may not be able to handle the processing power required to play back 4K videos smoothly.
If you need to share 4K videos, consider uploading them to a cloud storage service or video sharing platform, and then share the link with your WhatsApp contacts. This way, you can maintain the original quality of the video while still sharing it with others.
How do I send videos from my gallery to WhatsApp?
To send a video from your gallery to WhatsApp, simply open the WhatsApp app, go to the chat or conversation where you want to share the video, and tap the paperclip icon to attach a file. Then, select the video you want to send from your phone’s gallery, and WhatsApp will upload and send it to the recipient.
If the video is larger than 16MB, WhatsApp will prompt you to trim it down or compress it before sending. You can also choose to share a link to the video instead of sending the file itself, especially if it’s already uploaded to a cloud storage service or video sharing platform.
Can I send videos from other apps to WhatsApp?
Yes, you can send videos from other apps to WhatsApp using the share feature on your device. For example, if you have a video editing app or a cloud storage service that allows you to share files, you can select the video you want to send and choose WhatsApp as the sharing option.
Once you select WhatsApp, the app will open, and you can choose the chat or conversation where you want to send the video. WhatsApp will then upload and send the video to the recipient. This feature is convenient for sending videos from other apps without having to save them to your gallery first.
Will WhatsApp increase the video size limit in the future?
While WhatsApp hasn’t made any official announcements about increasing the video size limit, it’s possible that the company may consider it in the future as mobile networks and device capabilities improve. With the increasing demand for high-quality video sharing, it’s likely that WhatsApp will need to adapt to user needs and competitor offerings.
However, it’s worth noting that WhatsApp’s focus has always been on providing a lightweight and efficient messaging experience, so any changes to the video size limit would need to be balanced against the app’s overall performance and user experience.