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Compress Video

Make video files smaller for sharing.

Your files never leave your device.

Uses FFmpeg compiled to WebAssembly (ffmpeg.wasm, core 0.12.10), licensed under the GNU GPL v2 or later. Source code. The first use downloads about 32 MB, which your browser keeps for next time.

When to use it

Use this tool when a video is too large to email, upload or send in a chat app. Phone videos are often recorded at very high quality, so a short clip can be hundreds of megabytes. Compressing lowers the file size while keeping the video clear enough to watch.

How to use it

  1. Click Choose video or drop a file. MP4, MOV, WebM, MKV and more work, up to 1 GB.
  2. Wait while the video tools load and the file is read. You will see its size, length and resolution.
  3. Choose the Compression: Smallest file, Balanced or High quality.
  4. Choose the Resolution. You can keep the original or pick a lower one such as 1080p, 720p, 480p or 360p. For large videos, 720p is selected for you.
  5. Choose the Sound: Keep (good quality), Lower quality, smaller (mono) or Remove the sound.
  6. Read the time estimate, then click Compress video.
  7. When it finishes, the result shows the old and new size and how much smaller it is. Click Download, or Try other settings.

Worked example

You have a 2-minute 4K video from your phone that is about 700 MB, and your email allows 25 MB. Choose Smallest file and 480p. The tool estimates how long it will take, often a few minutes on a laptop. The compressed video is far smaller and fine for watching on a phone.

For a family video you want to keep looking good on a TV, choose High quality and 1080p instead. The file will be larger, but much smaller than the original.

Tips

  • Lower the resolution first. Going from 4K to 1080p or 720p cuts the size more than any other setting.
  • Trim before you compress. Cutting unwanted parts with Trim Video makes the job faster and the file smaller.
  • Plug in your laptop. Compression is hard work for the processor and drains batteries quickly.
  • Keep the tab open. Switching apps on a phone can pause or stop the work.
  • Remove sound you do not need. Silent clips for presentations or websites save a little more space.

Common mistakes

  • Compressing twice. Each pass loses a little quality. Start from the original file and choose stronger settings instead.
  • Choosing 360p for screen recordings. Small text becomes hard to read. Keep 720p or higher for screens.
  • Deleting the original too soon. Check the compressed video before removing the original.

Frequently asked questions

Is my video uploaded to a server?

No. The video is compressed inside your browser and saved straight to your device. That keeps private videos private, but it also means the speed depends on your computer or phone.

Why is it slower than desktop apps?

Browser video tools run on a single processor core without the special hardware that desktop apps use. The tool shows a rough time estimate before you start. A recent laptop is much faster than a phone.

Which setting should I choose?

Balanced with 720p suits most sharing, such as email, chat apps and websites. Choose Smallest file to squeeze under a strict size limit, or High quality if the video will be watched on a big screen.

What format is the result?

An MP4 file using H.264 video and AAC sound, which plays on almost every phone, computer, browser and social site.

Why is my result not smaller?

Some videos are already well compressed, especially ones exported from editing apps. The tool tells you when this happens. Try Smallest file or a lower resolution, or keep the original.

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