Compress video for YouTube

YouTube accepts very large files and re-encodes every upload into its own set of versions. That means the best advice is usually to upload the highest quality file you have rather than compress it first.

There are still good reasons to shrink a video: a slow or unreliable connection, a draft you want to share for feedback, or a file you need to email. This tool does that with a target size.

Compress video for YouTube: what to know

Why double compression looks bad

Each lossy encode throws away detail. Compressing yourself and then letting YouTube compress again leaves blocky edges and soft text. A high-quality original gives YouTube more to work with.

If uploads keep failing

Try a wired connection or a different time first. If that does not help, compress gently, to about half the size rather than a tenth, and keep the original resolution.

Shorts

Shorts are short, so files are small anyway. Use the Shorts maker to get the shape right rather than compressing.

How to use

1. Add your video. Drop an MP4, MOV or WebM into the tool.
2. Choose a target size. Pick a preset or type your own size in megabytes. The tool shows the quality you can expect.
3. Compress. Press the button and wait. The page shows progress, and you can cancel at any time.
4. Check and download. Preview the result and download it if it looks right.

Limits and good to know

• Files over about 500 MB can run out of browser memory on some devices.
• Very small targets on long videos will look soft or blocky.
• Compression runs on your device and takes longer on phones.

FAQ