File Is Too Large to Send on WhatsApp
WhatsApp limits file attachments to 100 MB for documents and 16 MB for images. Your file exceeds the limit and cannot be sent.
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WhatsApp File Size Limits
| Content Type | Limit |
|---|---|
| Images | 16 MB |
| Videos | 16 MB (Android) / varying on iOS |
| Documents (PDF, DOCX, etc.) | 100 MB |
| Audio | 16 MB |
Images are the most commonly hit limit — a single uncompressed photo from a modern smartphone can be 10–25 MB.
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Fix for Images Over 16 MB
Option 1: Compress the Image
- Open Compress Image
- Upload your photo
- Set quality to 80 — this is acceptable for WhatsApp viewing
- Download and send
A 20 MB smartphone photo compresses to under 2 MB at quality 80 with no visible difference at phone screen resolution.
Option 2: Resize Before Compressing
A 48 MP camera photo (8000×6000 px) displayed on a phone never uses more than 2340×1080 px. Storing 8000×6000 is pure overhead for WhatsApp use:
- Open Resize Image
- Set width to 1920 px (more than sufficient for phone viewing)
- Enable Lock Aspect Ratio
- Download the resized image
- Optionally compress at quality 85
Resizing alone typically reduces a 20 MB file to under 3 MB.
Fix for PDFs Over 100 MB
If your PDF exceeds WhatsApp's 100 MB document limit:
- Open Compress PDF
- Choose High compression
- Download the compressed PDF
If still over 100 MB after compression, use Split PDF to divide it into parts and send each part separately.
Alternative: Share via Google Drive or Dropbox
For any file that resists compression below WhatsApp's limit:
- Upload the file to Google Drive or Dropbox
- Copy the share link
- Paste the link in your WhatsApp chat
The recipient taps the link and downloads directly — no file size restriction.
Why WhatsApp Compresses Images Automatically
When you send a photo directly through WhatsApp without sending it as a "Document", WhatsApp applies its own compression — typically reducing photos to around 1–2 MB regardless of the original size. The quality loss can be significant for detailed photographs.
Sending as a Document (attach → Document → select the image file) bypasses WhatsApp's compression and sends the original file — but is subject to the 100 MB limit.
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum file size for WhatsApp?
WhatsApp limits media to 16 MB for videos and audio files. Images are limited to 16 MB. Documents shared as files (PDF, DOCX, etc.) are limited to 2 GB in most regions, but images sent as "photos" rather than documents are re-compressed by WhatsApp regardless of your original size.
How do I send a large video on WhatsApp?
Compress the video to under 16 MB using HandBrake (free desktop app) before sending. Alternatively, upload the video to Google Drive or YouTube (unlisted) and share the link in WhatsApp — there is no size limit on links.
Why does WhatsApp reduce image quality when I send photos?
WhatsApp automatically re-compresses photos sent as "Photos" to save bandwidth. To send images without compression, send them as "Documents" instead — tap the attachment icon → Document → select your image. Document mode sends the original file without quality loss.