How to Compress a Video for Discord (20 MB Free Limit)
Discord raised its free upload limit to 20 MB in August 2026. Learn how to fit clips under it, what Nitro allows, and when to share a link instead.
Discord is built for sharing clips, but its upload limit stops a lot of videos at the door. Drop a long gameplay clip into a channel without Nitro and you get the "Your files are too powerful" message. The fix is simple once you know the numbers: compress the clip to fit, or share a link when it is genuinely too long.
Discord's upload limits (October 2026)
| Account | Max file size |
|---|---|
| Free | 20 MB |
| Nitro Basic | 50 MB |
| Nitro | 500 MB |
Discord cut the free limit from 25 MB to 10 MB in September 2024, then raised it to 20 MB in August 2026. At the same time, the mobile app started checking the size of the original file before any in-app compression, the same way desktop already worked. If an older guide tells you 8, 10, or 25 MB, it is out of date. We track these numbers on the upload limits page.
Unlike WhatsApp, Discord does not re-encode your upload. What you post is exactly what your friends download, so a carefully compressed clip keeps its quality.
How much video fits in 20 MB?
20 MB is 160 megabits. Subtract audio (128 kbps is plenty) and divide by the duration to get the video bitrate you can afford.
| Clip length | Video bitrate that fits | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| 15 seconds | About 10 Mbps | Clean 1080p, even at 60 fps |
| 30 seconds | About 5 Mbps | Good 1080p for most clips, softer in fast games |
| 60 seconds | About 2.5 Mbps | Good 720p; 1080p gameplay will smear |
| 2 minutes | About 1.2 Mbps | Trim it or share a link |
The video size calculator has a Discord preset if you want exact numbers for your clip.
The workflow
- Trim the clip to the moment you want to share. Length is your biggest enemy with a 20 MB budget.
- Upload it to the BoltCompress compressor and look at the size estimate for each level.
- Pick the lightest level whose estimate is under 20 MB. High Efficiency (H.265) roughly halves the file; Maximum Savings cuts about three quarters.
- Choose MP4 output, which plays inline in Discord on desktop and mobile.
- Upload, and check that it plays in the channel.
Tips for gameplay clips
- Record clips at 1080p rather than 1440p or 4K if you mostly share them on Discord. It gives you much more room at 20 MB.
- Fast games need more bitrate than slow ones. A 30 second shooter clip at 20 MB will look softer than a 30 second strategy game clip.
- Keep audio at 128 kbps. Voice and game sound matter more than a fraction of a megabyte of video.
- Screen recordings of code or slides compress extremely well; see how to compress screen recordings.
When to use a link instead
If the clip is longer than a minute or two and you do not have Nitro, upload it elsewhere and paste the link. Unlisted YouTube videos and many cloud drive links preview right inside Discord, at full quality.
Summary
Free Discord accounts get 20 MB per file. Trim first, compress to MP4, and pick the lightest level that fits. Because Discord does not re-encode uploads, a well-compressed clip looks just as good for your friends as it does for you.
Quick answers
What is the Discord file size limit?
Since August 2026 it is 20 MB per file for free accounts, 50 MB with Nitro Basic, and 500 MB with Nitro. It was 10 MB from late 2024 until then.
Does Discord compress videos?
No. Discord stores the file you upload, so a well-compressed clip looks the same for everyone who watches it.
Try it on your own video
Upload a video, see the estimated size for each level, and download a smaller file. Free, no install.
Open the compressor