Video Compressor

Compress video to 2 MB

The size is already set to 2 MB. Add your video and get an MP4 that comes in just under it.

Getting a video under 2 MB

2 MB is the default upload limit on many web hosts, so WordPress sites and other web forms often stop there. It’s also a common cap for avatars, profile videos and support forms.

A phone records 2 MB in about a second, so the video is scaled down to fit: a few seconds keep a sharp picture, and about half a minute fits at 360p. Trim it with our video cutter first if only part of it matters.

We aim a little under 2 MB so the file is sure to fit, since most sites reject anything even slightly over. Sizes are in decimal megabytes (1 MB is 1,000,000 bytes), so the result also fits a limit that counts megabytes the binary way. Your video is encoded once at the bitrate that lands on 2 MB; when it’s compressed in your browser, the result is measured and done again if it came out too big.

How long a video fits in 2 MB

The longest video that keeps each resolution, for a typical 30 fps video with sound. At 60 fps, expect about half as long.

ResolutionLongest video
1080p
720p
480p
360p

Longer than 0:37? Even 360p would look too rough, so the page asks for a bigger size. Trim the video first or choose a bigger size.

Where you’ll run into 2 MB

  • WordPress and other PHP sites

    PHP, which runs WordPress and many other sites, accepts uploads up to 2 MB unless the host changes its upload_max_filesize setting. When the media library says the file is too big, this is the size that gets it in. If you run the site yourself, the question below shows how to raise the limit instead.

  • Support and contact forms

    Plenty of help desks and contact forms take only a couple of megabytes per attachment. Record just the clicks that show the problem and leave out the waiting in between; a short screen recording like that fits.

  • Forum attachments

    Many message boards give members a small per-file allowance. A reaction clip or a quick how-to shot fits once you trim it to the moment people are talking about. For anything longer, post a link to the full video.

How to compress a video to 2 MB

  1. 01

    Add your video

    Drop it on the page, or pick it from your files, photo library or camera roll.

  2. 02

    Check the size

    2 MB is already filled in. Change it if you need another size, or pick a preset instead.

  3. 03

    Download the MP4

    It comes out just under 2 MB. Compare it with the original, then save it.

Questions

Can’t find your answer? Write to feedback@videocompressor.xyz.

Will the video be exactly 2 MB?

Just under it. We aim a few percent below 2 MB so it’s certain to fit, since sites and apps reject a file that is even slightly over.

What if my video is already under 2 MB?

Then it already fits, and the page tells you so. You can send it as it is, or still make it smaller with a preset.

Will my video look worse at 2 MB?

That depends on its length. A short video keeps its full resolution; a longer one is scaled down, to 720p or lower, so the picture stays clean instead of blocky. The table above shows where each step starts. The sound keeps its quality unless the size is very small for the length.

What if my video is too long for 2 MB?

Past 0:37 there aren’t enough bits for a watchable picture, even at 360p, and the page asks for a bigger size. Trim the video with our video cutter first, or choose a bigger size.

Why does my website say the file is too big?

Many web hosts allow uploads of only 2 MB unless the site owner raises the limit. Compress the video to 2 MB here, or ask the site owner for a higher limit if you need more of the picture.

Can I text a 2 MB video?

On Verizon, which allows 3.5 MB for video, yes. AT&T and T-Mobile allow only 1 MB as MMS, so use our text message page, which aims for 0.9 MB.

Can I raise my site’s 2 MB upload limit instead?

If you run the site, yes: the PHP settings upload_max_filesize and post_max_size decide it, and many hosts let you change them in their control panel. If you don’t, compressing to 2 MB is the quick way in.

Should I choose H.264 or H.265 for 2 MB?

H.265 keeps more detail in the same 2 MB, so a longer video can keep a higher resolution. Choose it when the people you send it to have newer devices; H.264 plays everywhere.

Is my video uploaded to compress it?

Not when your browser can handle it: then it’s compressed on your device. Otherwise it goes to our server over an encrypted connection and is deleted 2 hours after compressing.

More ways to compress video

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