How to Compress Videos for Discord (Free, Nitro & Best Settings 2026)

If you've ever tried to share a funny clip or gameplay recording in a Discord server, only to get slapped with a "File is too powerful" error, you already know the frustration. Discord's file size limits are strict, and compress videos for discord is something nearly every user eventually needs to figure out.

This guide covers everything: what Discord's actual limits are in 2026, the best settings to hit those limits without ruining quality, the best tools for Mac users, and some clever workarounds for when you don't want to compress at all.

Discord's File Size Limits in 2026

Before you can compress videos for Discord effectively, you need to know your target. Discord has three upload tiers, and your strategy changes depending on which you're on.

Account Type	Upload Limit	Notes
Free (no Nitro)	10 MB	Default for all users
Nitro Basic	50 MB	~$3/month subscription
Nitro	500 MB	~$10/month subscription
Server Boost (Level 2)	50 MB	For server members if boosted
Server Boost (Level 3)	100 MB	For server members if boosted

The 10 MB limit for free users is genuinely tight. A standard 1080p screen recording at 30fps from a Mac can easily run 300–500 MB per minute. Even a 30-second clip at decent quality will blow past 10 MB without compression.

Nitro users have it easier, but 50 MB still disappears fast for anything longer than a couple of minutes at high quality.

Best Settings to Compress Videos for Discord

Getting the right settings is the difference between a video that looks great at 9 MB and one that looks terrible at 8 MB. Here are the recommended compression settings for each tier.

Settings for Free Users (Target: under 10 MB)

Setting	Recommended Value
Resolution	720p (1280×720)
Frame rate	30 fps
Video codec	H.265 (HEVC) or H.264
Audio codec	AAC
Audio bitrate	128 kbps
Video bitrate	Calculate based on length
Format	MP4

For bitrate calculation: if your video is 60 seconds long and you need it under 10 MB, your total bitrate budget is roughly (10 × 8 × 1000) ÷ 60 = ~1,333 kbps. Subtract 128 kbps for audio, leaving ~1,200 kbps for video. That's workable at 720p.

Formula: Target bitrate (kbps) = (File size in MB × 8 × 1000) ÷ Duration in seconds

Settings for Nitro Basic Users (Target: under 50 MB)

Setting	Recommended Value
Resolution	1080p (1920×1080)
Frame rate	60 fps (for gaming) or 30 fps (general)
Video codec	H.265 (HEVC)
Video bitrate	3–6 Mbps
Format	MP4

Settings for Nitro Users (Target: under 500 MB)

At this level you have real headroom. Aim for H.265 at 1080p or 4K, 8–15 Mbps bitrate, and you can comfortably share longer clips without sacrificing quality. Check out our guide on how to compress video without quality loss for advanced techniques at higher quality targets.

Method 1: Compresto (Easiest for Mac Users)

If you're on a Mac and want to compress videos for Discord quickly without touching terminal commands or learning HandBrake's interface, Compresto is the fastest option.

How to compress a video for Discord with Compresto:

1. Download and install Compresto from the website or the Mac App Store
2. Drag your video file onto the Compresto window (or use the folder watcher feature for batch processing)
3. Choose your output settings — select H.265 codec, 720p resolution, and adjust quality slider to target your file size
4. Hit compress and wait — Compresto uses Apple Silicon hardware acceleration, so even large files process in seconds
5. Check the output file size in Finder and upload to Discord

Compresto is particularly good for Discord use because it gives you clear before/after file size estimates, so you know before you compress whether you'll hit your target. For free users on the 10 MB limit, this trial-and-error elimination is worth a lot.

You can also process entire folders at once if you're sharing a batch of clips from a gaming session or stream highlight. See our best video compression guide for a full breakdown of what Compresto can do.

Method 2: HandBrake (Free, Cross-Platform)

HandBrake is the gold-standard free tool for video compression, and it gives you precise control over every encoding parameter.

Steps to compress video for Discord with HandBrake:

1. Download HandBrake from handbrake.fr (it's completely free)
2. Open HandBrake and click "Open Source" to load your video
3. Under "Presets," choose "Fast 720p30" as a starting point for Discord
4. Go to the "Video" tab and set:
   • Video codec: H.265 (x265) — smaller files than H.264 at the same quality
   • Framerate: 30 fps (or Same as source for 60fps gaming clips)
   • Quality: RF 28–32 for smaller files, RF 22–26 for better quality
5. Under "Audio," set AAC at 128 kbps
6. Click "Start Encode" and wait

For precise file size targeting, switch from "Constant Quality" to "Average Bitrate" mode in the Video tab and use the bitrate formula from above. HandBrake's "2-pass" encoding option produces the most accurate file sizes when you need to hit a specific target.

Method 3: VLC (Already on Your Computer)

VLC Media Player isn't just for playback — it has a built-in converter that works well for quick Discord compressions.

1. Open VLC and go to File > Convert / Stream (Mac) or Media > Convert/Save (Windows/Linux)
2. Click "Open media" and select your video
3. Under Profile, choose "Video - H.265 + MP3 (MP4)" or create a custom profile
4. Set resolution to 1280×720 and adjust bitrate to match your Discord tier target
5. Choose a save location and click "Go"

VLC is slower than dedicated tools and offers less fine-grained control, but it works and you probably already have it installed.

Method 4: Online Tools (No Installation Required)

For occasional compression needs, online tools like Clideo, CloudConvert, or Kapwing can compress videos for Discord directly in your browser. The tradeoff is speed (they're slower), privacy (your video uploads to their servers), and file size limits on free plans.

Best online options:

• Clideo — Simple UI, 500 MB free limit, outputs MP4
• CloudConvert — More control over settings, 25 free conversions per day
• Kapwing — Good for clips with captions or minor edits before sharing

For longer videos or anything sensitive, stick with a local tool like Compresto or HandBrake.

Workarounds: When You Can't Compress Further

Sometimes a video simply can't be compressed to Discord's limit without becoming unwatchable. Here are the best alternatives.

1. Share via Cloud Link

Upload your video to Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud and paste the shareable link in Discord. The video plays in the browser when your friends click the link — nearly as seamless as a native upload for longer clips. Check out our full guide on how to send large video files for the best platforms and settings.

2. YouTube Unlisted Upload

Upload the clip to YouTube as "Unlisted" — only people with the link can see it. YouTube handles compression automatically and the video embeds directly in Discord chat, with a preview thumbnail and playback controls. This is the best option for gaming highlights or anything you'd eventually want to share more widely.

3. Streamable

Streamable is purpose-built for sharing short video clips. Free accounts support videos up to 250 MB and 10 minutes, videos are publicly accessible via link, and Streamable links embed natively in Discord. It's the fastest option for gaming clips specifically.

4. Upgrade to Discord Nitro

At $10/month, Discord Nitro's 500 MB limit removes compression as a concern for most use cases. If you share videos in Discord daily, it's worth considering. Nitro also includes animated avatars, profile customization, and server boosts.

5. Trim the Video

Before compressing aggressively, check whether you can trim dead time from the start or end of your clip. Cutting 15 seconds from a 45-second clip reduces your file size by 33% before you touch any quality settings. QuickTime Player on Mac can trim clips for free.

Compress Videos for Discord: Step-by-Step Quick Reference

For free users who need to get a video under 10 MB fast:

1. Open the video in QuickTime and note the duration
2. Calculate your target bitrate: (9.5 × 8 × 1000) ÷ duration_seconds kbps
3. Open Compresto (or HandBrake)
4. Set output to 720p, H.265, your calculated bitrate
5. Compress and verify file size
6. If still over 10 MB, drop to 480p or trim clip length

For a deeper dive into getting the smallest possible file with the best quality, read our guide on how to compress video to 10MB without quality loss.

Compressing Videos for Other Platforms

Discord isn't the only platform with strict file size requirements. If you also share videos on Facebook, the approach is different — Facebook re-encodes everything automatically but has specific specs that affect quality. Read our guide on how to compress video for Facebook for platform-specific settings and tips.

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FAQ: Compress Videos for Discord

What is the maximum video file size for Discord?

For free Discord accounts, the maximum upload size is 10 MB. Discord Nitro Basic raises this to 50 MB and Discord Nitro raises it to 500 MB. Server boost levels also increase limits for server members: Level 2 servers get 50 MB and Level 3 servers get 100 MB.

What video format does Discord support?

Discord supports MP4, MOV, WebM, and several other common video formats. MP4 with H.264 or H.265 video and AAC audio is the most reliable combination for Discord compatibility across all platforms (Windows, Mac, iOS, Android).

How do I compress a video to under 10 MB for Discord?

Use a tool like Compresto or HandBrake to encode your video at 720p, 30fps, H.265 codec, with a bitrate calculated to fit your target size. The formula is: bitrate (kbps) = (9.5 × 8 × 1000) ÷ video duration in seconds. For a 30-second clip, that's about 2,533 kbps, which gives excellent quality at 720p.

Does Discord compress videos automatically?

Yes. Discord re-encodes videos to generate preview thumbnails and optimize delivery, but it does not compress uploaded files to reduce their size below the upload limit. If your file exceeds the limit, it's rejected. Discord does apply compression when streaming in video calls (Go Live feature), but this is separate from file uploads.

Is H.265 better than H.264 for Discord?

Yes, H.265 (HEVC) produces roughly 40–50% smaller file sizes than H.264 at equivalent quality, making it ideal for hitting Discord's tight file size limits. The tradeoff is that H.265 encoding takes longer. Compresto on Mac uses Apple Silicon hardware acceleration to make H.265 encoding as fast as software H.264.

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Get Started: Download Compresto

If you regularly share videos in Discord and you're on a Mac, having the right tool makes all the difference. Download Compresto and compress your first video in under a minute — no command line, no complex settings, just drag, compress, and share.

For more compression guides, see our posts on best video compression tools and how to compress video without quality loss.