As there's a 16MB size limit for each video for sending on WhatsApp, this article will guide you through how to compress video files less than 16MB with four simple approaches.
Kevincy | Updated on Jan 19, 2024
If you choose to send an existing share-worthy video in WhatsApp, you'll be prompted to trim the video to under 16MB on mobile phones, but it will pop up a message saying "1 video you tried adding is larger than the 16 MB limit" on both PC and Web apps. It's not strange to see that, after all, WhatsApp is just a messaging app and isn't really meant to be a file or video hosting service.
Therefore, how to compress video files to 16MB is always a very hot topic amongst WhatsApp users. That's the main reason I've compiled this tutorial. In the following content, I'll introduce four simple applications and guide you through the steps to make video less than 16MB for sending in WhatsApp.
WonderFox HD Video Converter Factory Pro provides you with several flexible methods, making it easier than ever to reduce video size to 16MB without any obscure jargon and intricate operation.
If you're not that tech-savvy and have little video editing experience, WonderFox HD Video Converter Factory Pro is supposed to be your best choice, which offers several ways to compress video files to below 16MB without difficulty. Thanks to the WYSIWYG GUI, it's fairly accessible to people in all levels.
Install and runInstall and run the application, open "Converter". On the new window, click on "Add Files" button or execute a drag-n-drop to add your videos files that exceed 16MB. They will be successively import to the main interface with basic information after a short while depending on the file size and the number of files.
Click on the "Format" image on the right side of the program to expand 500+ optimized presets. Navigate to "Video" category and select "MP4" profile, which is highly recommended by WhatsApp.
As the bit rate mainly determines the video quality and file size, a direct way to resize video files to 16MB by decreasing the video bit rates. But meanwhile, the video quality will be degraded as well. You have to keep the balance between the video quality and file size. The app offers two ways to lower video bitrate:
Click on "Batch compression" icon on the bottom of the program to activate the feature. Once the icon becomes orange, move the slider towards the right side to increase the compression ratio to batch compress videos to 16MB. The higher the compression ratio, the smaller the file size and the worse the video quality.
Click on "Parameter settings" button underneath the "Output Format" image to open a window. Navigate to "Video Bit rate" section and choose a pre-set option in the drop-down list, or press "Customize" button to manually type in a lower value to reduce video bitrate. Click OK to save the changes.
You're recommended to downscale video resolution to 720p or lower from the "Quick setting" section. Alternatively, open "Parameter settings" to change video resolution to a lower value.
Note: The resolution doesn't determine the video quality and file size. But a video with higher resolution generally has a better quality with large file size, because cameras always record video at a higher bit rate for the larger resolution.
This app allows you to split the large-sized video files into multiple small video clips under 16MB. Press the "Scissors-shaped" icon on the editing toolbar to open "Trim" window. Drag the two sliders along the playback progress bar to select a desired video segment, or type in the accurate start time and end time, then press "Trim" button to cut a video clip below. Repeat the process to get multiple small video clips.
After you choose any plan (sometimes you can also make use of a combination of those plans), make sure the estimated output file size is under 16MB. Then choose a destination directory on the bottom by clicking on the inverted triangle icon. Lastly, hit "Run" button to start batch conpression process with GPU acceleration.
Similar to the well-known HandBrake, XMedia Recode is a free Windows-based audio and video transcoder that provides audio conversion/extraction, CD ripping, more editing features and a wide array of predefined presets. Even better, it allows you to enter desired video file size to make video less than 16MB. If you're new to XMedia Recode, just follow the steps below.
Step 1. Download XMedia Recode from official website: https://www.xmedia-recode.de/en/. Both of Installer and Portable versions are offered. It requires you to install Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable 2017 beforehand to make it work.
Step 2. Run XMedia Recode, click on "Open File" button to add the large video files that you want to reduce file size to 16MB. There is a more convenient way, just drag and drop the video files into the interface.
Step 3. XMedia Recode will list the video with Name, Chapters, Duration, Video/Audio Streams and Subtitle Tracks. Under "Format" tab, select "MP4" in the drop-down list of "Format" and "File Extension" respectively.
Step 4. Switch to "Video" tab and navigate to "Output" section. Right-click on the video and open "Bitrate-Calculator".
Step 5. Then specify a file size less than 16MB, and hit OK button.
Step 6. After everything is all set, choose a destination folder to save the converted MP4 file on the bottom of XMedia Recode. Finally, press "Add to queue" button, and then hit "Encode" to start video compressing.
Optional. For further editing requirement, before the conversion, switch to other tabs to modify other detailed parameters.
Vidcoder is another good alternative front end for HandBrake. As an open-source DVD/Blu-ray ripping and video transcoding application, it offers the target size option to reduce video size to 16MB directly. Besides, VidCoder requires Microsoft's .NET 6 Desktop Runtime installed and it is currently only available on Windows systems. Here's the walkthrough.
Step 1. Download VidCoder Installer or Portable from official website: https://vidcoder.net/.
Step 2. Run VidCoder, click on "Video File" to add your source videos. Alternatively, just drag and drop them into the blank space.
Step 3. VidCoder ships with a selection of preset profiles to choose from. Open the drop-down list of "Encoding settings" on the top menu bar to choose a ready-made preset. You're recommended to choose 720p or lower resolution.
Step 4. Click on the small "Gear" button next to the video name to open a new window. Go to "Container" tab and select "MP4" as the export video format.
Step 5. Switch to "Video Encoding" tab and navigate to "Quality" section. Choose "Target size (MB)" option and enter a value less than 16MB. For experienced users, you're free to modify other parameters as you wish. Then close the window to proceed.
Step 6. Designate a destination folder to save the compressed video file and name it. Finally, hit the green "Encode" button on the top bar to start compressing videos to under 16MB.
HD Video Converter Factory Pro, a great Swiss army knife of A/V processing, works as a novice-oriented video editor, converter, downloader, recorder, compressor, GIF maker. Get the all-in-one app here!
If you don't want to install any software on your PC, FreeConverter is a great website that allows you to compress videos to 16MB online. Just follow the instructions below to easily get the work done.
Step 1. Open the online 16MB video compressor in your browser: https://www.freeconvert.com/video-compressor.
Step 2. Press "Choose Files" button or just drag & drop a video file from your computer or other devices to the dotted box area. It even allows you to upload a video file from Dropbox, Google Drive or an existing online URL. The max file size is 1GB.
Step 3. Select "MP4" as output video format. Then click on "Gear" button to open "Advanced Options (Optional)" window.
Step 4. Choose "Target a file size (MB)" in the "Compression Method" drop-down list. And type in a target size less than 16MB. Click on "Apply Settings" button to go back.
Step 5. Now, press "Compress Now!" button to upload and reduce video size to 16MB online. You have to be patient for the conversion.
Step 6. When the process is complete, click on the "Download MP4" button to save the 16MB file to local drive.
A: WonderFox HD Video Converter Factory Pro is the top recommendation for its batch processing, extensive compression controls, and multi-track editing tools. The optimized encoding algorithm minimizes quality loss.
A: For optimal quality and size, compress video to 480p or 720p resolution at 1200-1800 kbps video bitrate and 128 kbps audio bitrate. Lower resolutions and bitrates further to reduce file size.
A: Trimming unwanted footage can quickly reduce file size without re-encoding. But for maximum compression, it's best to combine trimming and compressing using the optimal encoder settings to minimize perceptible quality loss.
A: Use apps like "Video Compress" to quickly convert and compress iPhone videos under 16MB. They provide presets to target the 16MB size needed for WhatsApp.
That's all I want to share with you how to compress video to 16MB for WhatsApp. HD Video Converter Factory Pro is highly recommended either because it supports practically all types of video formats or it provides you with multiple ways to reduce video size from GB to MB, high MB to low MB.
Hopefully, this post is of great help to you guys. Your thoughts would be appreciated if there is any better solution. Thanks for reading!
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