WhatsApp sends documents up to 2 GB
2 GB for a file sent as a document. Videos sent the normal way are held to 100 MB and 720p by default, or 64 MB and 480p on a slow connection.
Numbers checked October 2026. Each one links to where it came from.
The limits
- Documentfaq.whatsapp.com, checked October 2026
- 2 GBAndroid, iPhone, Web, Windows and Mac
- Video sent as media, fast connectionfaq.whatsapp.com, checked October 2026
- 100 MB720p, by default
- Video sent as media, slow connectionfaq.whatsapp.com, checked October 2026
- 64 MB480p, by default
- Photos and videosfaq.whatsapp.com, checked October 2026
- Usually compressedAn HD option is offered per photo or video
- Status videofaq.whatsapp.com, checked October 2026
- 90 seconds
What happens when it's too big
WhatsApp doesn't publish what happens when a file is too big. What it does say is that photos and videos are usually compressed when you share them, so a video sent the normal way can arrive smaller and softer than you shot it.
Phone video adds up fast. An iPhone shooting 4K at 30 fps uses more than 175 MB a minute even in its compact HEVC format, so a one-minute clip is already past the 100 MB default. More in how to send 4K video.
WhatsApp's own way round it
Send it as a document. Tap the attachment icon, choose Document and pick the file. A document is sent as the file itself rather than as a photo or video, and it can be up to 2 GB.
Over 2 GB, WhatsApp has no option. You'd have to trim the video or split the file into parts.
Or skip the upload
For anything over 2 GB, or a whole shoot at full quality, send a download.fyi link in the chat. It's three short words, so it's easy to paste or read out. The file streams from your phone or computer straight to theirs, untouched.
Keep the page open until they've downloaded it. If they're busy, a pass keeps the file online for 14 days (up to 100 GB, $5) or 30 days (up to 500 GB, $9), paid once.
Questions
What's WhatsApp's video size limit?
By default, 100 MB at 720p on a fast connection and 64 MB at 480p on a slow one, for videos sent as media. Send the video as a document to go up to 2 GB.
Is the WhatsApp limit still 16 MB?
Not according to WhatsApp's own help page, which gives 2 GB for documents and a 100 MB default for video on a fast connection.
Can I send a 5 GB file on WhatsApp?
No, documents stop at 2 GB. Paste a download.fyi link into the chat instead; there's no size cap.
Other apps' limits
Sign up. Upload. Wait. Just drop it.
No account and no size cap. Your link is ready the moment you pick a file.
Send a file