We've all been there: you try to email a video or upload it to Discord, and you get the dreaded "File too large" error. Video files can be massive, but they don't have to be.

Understanding Video Compression

Compression works by removing redundant data from your video. There are two main types:

• Lossless: Reduces size slightly without any quality loss (like zipping a file).
• Lossy: Reduces size significantly by discarding details the human eye is less likely to notice.

The Magic of H.264 and H.265

Modern video codecs like H.264 (AVC) and H.265 (HEVC) are incredibly efficient. They can reduce a raw video file size by 90% or more while keeping it looking crisp.

Tips for Better Compression

• Lower the Bitrate: This has the biggest impact on file size. For 1080p web video, 5-8 Mbps is usually sufficient.
• Resize Resolution: If you don't need 4K, downscaling to 1080p or 720p saves massive amounts of space.
• Use CRF (Constant Rate Factor): Instead of a fixed bitrate, CRF adjusts quality dynamically. A value of 23 is a good balance for H.264.

Compress Online for Free

Our compression tool handles all these technical details for you. Just choose a preset (Low, Medium, High Quality) and let us do the math.