A screen recording of a bug, a short game moment or a tutorial clip often comes out of the recorder far larger than a chat app will accept. Discord refuses the upload, and you are left wondering which setting to change.
The fix is to make the file smaller before you send it. The free video compressor does this in a few clicks, and it runs in your browser.
Check Discord's current upload limit
Discord sets an upload limit, and the limit can depend on your account type. It also changes from time to time. Check Discord's help pages or the upload dialog for the current number before you start, then aim a little under it so the file has room to spare.
Compress the video
- Drop your MP4, MOV, WebM or MKV file onto the video compressor, or click to choose one.
- Under Settings, click a preset such as 10 MB or 25 MB, or type your own number in the Or any size, in MB field.
- Leave Resolution on Auto, or pick a smaller frame size if the file is still too large. Turn off Keep sound if the clip does not need its audio.
- Click the button that shows your target, such as Compress to 10 MB, and wait for it to finish.
- Press Download. The panel shows the original and new sizes, so you can check the result before you send it.
What happens if the target is missed
The result is checked against your target. If it comes out over the size you chose, the video is processed again with slightly lower settings, for up to three attempts. If the target cannot be reached at that length, the page says so, and you can choose a larger size, turn sound off or shorten the clip.
Keep the picture sharp
A smaller target means less data for each second of video, so fine detail softens, especially in fast movement. If the look matters more than an exact size, choose By quality and pick High, Medium or Low instead.
For bigger edits
If you need to trim several clips, add captions or join recordings before you share them, open the editor at Arsaze.
Questions people ask
How do I compress a video so Discord accepts it?
Open a free video compressor, choose a target size below Discord's current upload limit, such as 10 MB or 25 MB, and download the compressed file. Check Discord's help pages for the current limit first, because it can change.
Does compressing a video lower its quality?
It can, because a smaller target means less data for each second of video. Detail softens, especially in fast movement. If quality matters more than an exact file size, choose By quality and pick High, Medium or Low.
Are my videos uploaded when I compress them?
No. The Arsaze video compressor works in your browser, and the video is not sent to a server.
Does the compressor add a watermark to the video?
No. The compressor does not add a watermark or logo to the video.
What do I do if the file is still too large?
Choose a smaller target size, turn off Keep sound, or shorten the clip. The tool checks the result against your target and tries again with slightly lower settings, up to three attempts. If the target cannot be reached for that length, the page tells you.