Trying to send a video on Discord and getting blocked by the file size limit?
You are not alone. Discord’s file attachment limit for non-Nitro users is 10MB, according to Discord’s official File Attachments FAQ. That sounds simple until you try to upload a short screen recording, gameplay clip, meme, or phone video and discover it is 30MB, 80MB, or even larger.
The good news: you do not need complicated editing software. If you only need the video to fit under Discord’s 10MB limit, the fastest solution is to compress the video to a specific target size.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to compress a video for Discord under 10MB using RedPanda Compress.
Why Discord Videos Need to Be Under 10MB
Discord allows users to upload many file types, including MP4 and MOV videos. However, for users without Nitro, the maximum upload size is 10MB.
That means if your file is even slightly larger than 10MB, Discord may reject it.
For best results, you should not compress your video to exactly 10MB. Instead, aim for something like:
- 9MB
- 9.2MB
- 9.5MB
This gives you a small safety margin because file size calculations can vary slightly between your computer, browser, and Discord.
The Fastest Way: Use RedPanda Compress
RedPanda Compress is a free online video compressor that works directly in your browser. It supports common formats like MP4, MOV, WebM, WMV, MKV, and AVI, and lets you choose a desired output file size.
That makes it useful for Discord because you can set the target size manually instead of guessing compression settings.
Here is the simple workflow:
- Go to RedPandaCompress.com
- Drag and drop your video file into the upload area
- Set the output file size to around 9MB or 9.5MB
- Click Start Compression
- Download the compressed MP4 file
- Upload the new file to Discord
That’s it.
Because RedPanda Compress processes the video in your browser, the video does not need to be uploaded to a server first. This is especially helpful when compressing personal clips, private recordings, or videos you simply do not want to send through another cloud service.
Recommended Discord Compression Settings
If your goal is simply “make this upload to Discord,” use these target sizes:
| Discord Goal | Recommended Target Size |
|---|---|
| Safest upload | 9MB |
| Better quality | 9.5MB |
| Multiple files in one message | Keep each file under 9MB |
| Very short clips | 8MB to 9.5MB |
For most videos, 9.5MB is a good target. It stays below Discord’s 10MB limit while preserving as much quality as possible.
Why Some Videos Look Better Than Others After Compression
Two videos with the same length can compress very differently.
A 20-second screen recording of a mostly static desktop may look sharp under 10MB. A 20-second gameplay clip with fast camera movement, explosions, and lots of detail may need much more data to look clean.
The main factors are:
- Video duration
- Resolution
- Frame rate
- Camera motion
- Object motion
- Original bitrate
- Codec
If your video has a lot of motion, the compressor has to work harder. To reach 10MB, it may need to lower the bitrate, reduce the resolution, or simplify some visual detail.
This is normal. The smaller the file size target, the more tradeoffs the encoder has to make.
How Long Can a Discord Video Be Under 10MB?
There is no single perfect answer, but here are practical estimates:
| Video Type | Good Length for Under 10MB |
|---|---|
| Static screen recording | 30-90 seconds |
| Simple phone video | 15-45 seconds |
| Gameplay clip | 5-25 seconds |
| Fast action / high motion video | 5-15 seconds |
If your video is several minutes long, compressing it under 10MB is possible, but the quality may become very low. In that case, it is usually better to trim the clip first.
Best Tips to Keep Discord Video Quality Higher
If your compressed video looks too blurry, try these fixes.
1. Trim the video first
Duration is one of the biggest file size factors. A 60-second clip needs roughly twice as much data as a 30-second clip at the same quality.
Before compressing, remove:
- Long pauses
- Loading screens
- Unneeded intro/outro
- Extra seconds before and after the important moment
A shorter video will usually look better at 10MB.
2. Use MP4
Discord supports common video formats, including MP4. For sharing, MP4 is usually the safest choice because it works well across desktop, browser, and mobile.
RedPanda Compress outputs compressed video in MP4 format, which is a good default for Discord.
3. Lower the resolution if needed
If a 1080p video looks bad after being squeezed under 10MB, try reducing expectations rather than forcing full HD.
For Discord sharing, these resolutions are often enough:
- 720p for most clips
- 480p for longer clips
- 360p for very long clips or memes
A sharp 720p video often looks better than a heavily compressed 1080p video.
4. Avoid compressing the same file again and again
Every time you recompress a video, you may lose more quality. If possible, start from the original video file and compress once to your target size.
If the result is too large or too blurry, go back to the original and try a different target or trim the clip.
5. Use 9MB if Discord still rejects the file
If Discord says the file is too large even though your computer shows it as close to 10MB, compress again with a lower target, such as 9MB.
This gives Discord more room for file size rounding and metadata differences.
Example: Compressing a 48MB Clip for Discord
Let’s say you have a 48MB gameplay clip that Discord refuses to upload.
A good workflow would be:
- Open RedPanda Compress
- Add the 48MB video
- Set the output size to 9.5MB
- Start compression
- Download the compressed MP4
- Upload it to Discord
If the result looks too blurry, trim the clip shorter and compress again. A shorter 9.5MB video will usually look cleaner than a longer 9.5MB video.
Should You Use Auto Compression or a Fixed Size?
For Discord, use a fixed output size.
Auto compression is useful when you want a smaller video without thinking too much about settings. But Discord has a strict upload limit, so choosing a specific target size is better.
Use:
- 9MB if you want the safest upload
- 9.5MB if you want better quality and still need to stay under 10MB
FAQ
What is the Discord video upload limit?
For non-Nitro users, Discord’s file upload limit is 10MB. Nitro users get higher upload limits, but if you are using a free account, your video needs to be under 10MB.
What video format should I use for Discord?
MP4 is usually the best format for Discord. Discord’s official File Attachments FAQ lists MP4 as a common supported format, including video encoded with H.264, H.265/HEVC, or AV1.
Why is my video still too large after compression?
The video may be too long, too high resolution, or have too much motion. Try trimming it first, then compress to 9MB or 9.5MB.
Can I compress a video for Discord on iPhone?
Yes. RedPanda Compress works in the browser, so you can open it on iPhone, choose a video from your files or photo library, compress it, and download the smaller MP4.
Is it safe to compress private videos online?
RedPanda Compress processes videos in your browser, so the file does not need to be uploaded to a server for compression. That makes it a good option for private videos compared with tools that require uploading the full file first.
Conclusion
Discord’s 10MB upload limit can be frustrating, especially for gameplay clips, screen recordings, and phone videos. But the fix is simple: compress your video to a target size just below the limit.
For the best result, use RedPanda Compress and set the output size to 9MB or 9.5MB. If the video still looks too blurry, trim it shorter before compressing.
Try it here: RedPandaCompress.com
Fei is a skilled software engineer. He previously worked at Google and now at a startup. His expertise includes web media processing, cloud architecture, complex algorithms, and AI training and deployment. Beyond work, Fei enjoys diving into new knowledge and is a big fan of strategy games.
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