Drop videos here
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.mp4, .mov, .m4v, .webm and .mkv · up to 2 GB each · nothing leaves your device
How compressing works
Drop a video in and it comes out as a smaller MP4. The slider sets the balance: further left gives a smaller file, further right keeps more detail. Because a video's picture has to be made again to change its size, this always takes longer than a fast repackage — watch the moving bar on each video while it works. If a video can't get any smaller at the chosen setting, you keep the original.
How to use it in 4 steps
- 1Move the Quality slider. Left gives a smaller file, right keeps more detail.
- 2Drop your videos onto the box, or press Choose videos.
- 3Watch the bar on each video — a longer video takes longer to compress.
- 4Press Save beside a video when it says Compressed.
Why videos are so big
Video is thousands of pictures plus sound. A minute from a modern phone can be hundreds of megabytes, especially at 4K. Sharing, emailing or uploading it quickly becomes a problem. Compressing remakes the video at a lower quality setting so the file is much smaller.
Choosing the quality
The slider balances size against detail. The middle setting suits most videos. Move it left for a smaller file if the video is for a quick message, or right if it contains fine detail or you plan to edit it later. After compressing, play the result before you delete anything.
Why it takes time
To shrink the file, the page has to remake every frame of the video on your own computer, which is slower than just changing the file type. A longer or higher-resolution video takes longer. Keep the tab open and watch the progress bar.
Good to know
The sound is usually kept as it is. If the video cannot get smaller at your setting, the page keeps your original. Your videos are never uploaded. For changing only the file type, use MOV to MP4.
Related tips
- How to Make a Video Small Enough to Send
- How to Make a GIF That Is Small, Smooth and Worth Sharing
- How to Save the Sound From a Video as MP3 or M4A
A quick example: a clip that is too big for email
A one-minute phone video is 180 MB and the message will not send. Drop it in and leave the slider on balanced. A few minutes later you have a smaller MP4, and the card shows how much smaller. If it is still too large, move the slider left and run it again from the original.
Do the arithmetic before you start: most email services stop at around 20 to 25 MB, so for a clip that long you may need the smallest setting, or a link to the file instead.
Good to know
Compressing takes real time because every frame is made again, and that time grows with the length and size of the video. The limit is 2 GB per video, and the whole file sits in your computer’s memory while it works, so close other big programs first. Watch a small part of the result before you delete the original. If the video cannot get smaller, the page keeps the original and says so. To change only the file type, use MOV to MP4 instead.
If you plan to upload to a social site, it will usually compress the video again after you upload it. A very small file made here can then lose even more quality, so use the balanced setting unless the size limit forces you lower, and keep the original in case you need to start again.
Related tools
Questions people ask
How does it make the file smaller?
It makes the picture again at a lower quality setting, the same idea as Compress Photo but for every frame of the video. A lower setting throws away more fine detail, so the file gets smaller.
Which quality setting should I use?
The middle, “balanced” setting suits most videos. Move it left if the file still needs to be smaller, or right if you see the picture losing quality.
Why is this slower than MOV to MP4?
MOV to MP4's fast choice only changes the wrapper around the video, so it takes seconds. Compressing has to remake the picture itself to shrink it, which takes real time — longer for a longer or higher-resolution video.
What if the file is already small?
If compressing it again would make it bigger than it already is, the tool keeps your original and tells you so.
Does the sound change?
Usually not — the sound is kept as it is. It is only remade if your browser can't put its exact kind of sound into an MP4.
Is there a size limit?
Up to 2 GB per video. The video is held in your computer's memory while it is compressed, so very large videos need a computer with plenty of memory.
Is my video uploaded?
No. Everything happens inside your own browser.