How to compress a video
The fastest way to make a video smaller is to compress it right here in your browser — no upload, no signup, no watermark. Drop a file below, or read the four steps and the settings that matter.
Drop a video here, or browse
MP4 · MOV · WebM — compressed right here, nothing uploaded
100% on-device · no signup · no watermark
Loading compressor…
Bigger files take longer — your CPU does the work, privately.
Compress a video in four steps
- 1
Open the compressor
Open this page in any modern browser — desktop or phone. There’s nothing to install and no account to create; the compressor is right here on the page.
- 2
Add your video
Drag in (or browse for) an MP4, MOV or WebM. It loads straight into the page and stays on your device — nothing is uploaded to a server.
- 3
Pick a target size
Choose a platform preset — Discord 10 MB, WhatsApp 16 MB, email 25 MB — or set a custom target. The tool works out the bitrate needed to hit it from your clip’s length.
- 4
Compress and download
Your device does the encoding. When it finishes, download the smaller MP4 and check the before/after size, then upload or share it wherever you need.
Choose the right method
By platform. If you’re compressing to fit a specific limit, start from the matching preset: Discord (10 MB), WhatsApp (16 MB), email (25 MB), or YouTube (faster upload). Each preset targets the exact cap that’s blocking you.
By format. Working from a specific file type? Use the MP4 compressor, MOV compressor (iPhone/Mac video), or WebM compressor. They all output a widely compatible H.264 MP4.
By goal. Just need it smaller? The video size reducer lets you pick a target. Worried about sharpness? See compressing without losing quality. Working with a huge file? The large video compressor has no upload limit because nothing is uploaded.
Settings that decide the result
Bitrate is the amount of data spent per second of video — lowering it is what shrinks the file, and it’s the lever the presets pull for you. Resolution matters too: a 4K clip holds four times the pixels of 1080p, so downscaling a video you’ll watch on a phone saves a lot of size with no visible loss. Length sets the budget — the same target size spread over a shorter clip always looks sharper, so trim to the moment that matters before compressing a long video.
One more rule: re-encode only once. Compressing an already-compressed export a second time stacks the loss. Pick your target once, compress once, and keep the original if you might need a different size later.
Why compress in the browser?
Most “online” compressors upload your file to a server, process it there, and send back a download — slow for big files and a privacy risk for anything personal. A browser-based compressor does the work on your own device instead, so there’s no upload wait and your footage never leaves your computer or phone. You can even disconnect from the internet after the page loads and it still works.
Ready to go? Drop a file into the compressor at the top of this page, or jump straight to the free video compressor on the home page.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the easiest way to compress a video?
Drop it into a browser-based compressor, pick a target size, and download the result. There’s no upload, no app to install and no account — and because it runs on your device, your video stays private.
How do I compress a video without losing quality?
Keep the original resolution, choose the largest target size your destination allows, and re-encode only once. Most footage carries more bitrate than it needs, so a moderate compression is invisible. See the dedicated guide on compressing without losing quality.
How do I compress a video to send by text or email?
For email, compress to 25 MB (Gmail/Yahoo) or 20 MB (Outlook). For a text message, aim smaller — around 10 MB or less — since carrier MMS limits are tight. Use the email or Discord 10 MB preset and download the smaller file.
Can I compress a video on my phone?
Yes. Open this page in your phone’s browser, pick a video from your library, choose a target, and compress on-device. No app needed and nothing leaves your phone.
Is the video uploaded to a server?
No. Compression runs entirely in your browser with WebAssembly. The video never leaves your device — the engine loads once from a CDN, then it even works offline.