Compress a video
Make a video small enough to email, upload or share. Pick how hard to compress, optionally lower the resolution, and see exactly how much space you saved.
How to compress a video
- Drop your video into the box above, or choose it from your device.
- Pick a compression level. Balanced suits most phone videos.
- If the file must get much smaller, set a maximum resolution such as 720p.
- Press Compress video, wait for the progress bar, then download the MP4.
Which setting should I choose?
The three levels change how many bits the encoder may spend to describe each frame. Fewer bits means a smaller file and, eventually, visible softness in fine detail like hair, grass or text.
| Level | Good for | What you may notice |
|---|---|---|
| Light | Archiving, client deliveries, anything you might edit again | Hard to tell from the original |
| Balanced | Sharing in chats, uploading to websites, social posts | Slight loss of fine texture on a large screen |
| Strong | Email attachments, size-limited forms, previews | Soft detail and some blockiness in fast motion |
Resolution matters even more than the level. A 1080p frame has 2.25 times as many pixels as a 720p frame, so dropping one step often halves the file without making it look bad on a phone. Smaller videos are never scaled up.
What the compressor does
Your video is re-encoded to H.264 with a constant-quality setting, which spends bits where the picture needs them instead of at a fixed rate. Audio is re-encoded to AAC at 64 to 128 kbps depending on the level, or removed if you tick Remove the sound. The MP4 is written with its index at the front, so it starts playing quickly when streamed from a website.
When the file gets bigger
Some videos are already compressed very efficiently, for example screen recordings, clips exported from editing apps at low bitrates, or videos that use the newer HEVC codec. Re-encoding them to H.264 can produce a larger file. When that happens the result screen says so and shows both sizes, so you can keep your original instead. Choosing Strong or a lower resolution usually fixes it. The guide on why compressed files grow explains the details.
Questions about Compress video
How much smaller will my video get?
It depends on the source. Phone videos recorded at high bitrates often shrink by 50 to 80 percent on Balanced. Videos that were already compressed may shrink very little. The result screen shows the exact before and after sizes.
Will the quality drop?
Any re-encode loses some information. Light is designed to be hard to distinguish from the original. Strong trades visible detail for size. If quality matters most, lower the resolution one step instead of using Strong.
Is there a watermark?
No. The output is your video, re-encoded, with nothing added.
Can I compress a video for WhatsApp or Discord?
Yes. Balanced at 720p is a good starting point for messaging apps. Check the size guide for platform-specific advice.
Why is my output an MP4 even though I uploaded a MOV?
MP4 with H.264 plays almost everywhere. If you need another container, compress first and then use the converter.