The 25 MB email limit
Gmail and Outlook.com both stop at 25 MB of attachments, and Gmail counts every attachment in the email together. Go over, and Gmail puts the file in Google Drive and sends a link instead, while Outlook.com does the same with OneDrive. That works, but the person you send it to has to open the link, and it only keeps working while it stays shared.
| App | Limit | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gmail | 25 MB | All attachments together. Larger files go as a Google Drive link. | Help page |
| Outlook.com | 25 MB | Larger files go as a OneDrive link. | Help page |
Leave room for other attachments
Because Gmail adds up everything in the email, a 25 MB video plus a PDF won't send. If you are attaching other files as well, choose Custom and enter a smaller number, such as 20, to leave room for them.
What 25 MB holds
| Clip length | Starts at | Video bitrate |
|---|---|---|
| 0:15 | 1080p, 30 fps | 12.4 Mbps |
| 0:30 | 1080p, 30 fps | 6.2 Mbps |
| 1:00 | 1080p, 30 fps | 3.0 Mbps |
| 2:00 | 720p, 30 fps | 1.5 Mbps |
| 3:00 | 540p, 30 fps | 1.0 Mbps |
| 5:00 | 480p, 30 fps | 0.6 Mbps |
| 8:00 | 360p, 30 fps | 0.3 Mbps |
That's for an ordinary 1080p, 30 fps video, like one filmed on a phone. A one-minute clip keeps full 1080p, and a five-minute recording comes out at about 480p.
Questions
Why not just send a link?
Links are fine for big files. An attachment is simpler for the person receiving it: it opens in their mail app and doesn't stop working if sharing settings change later.
My video is from an iPhone. Anything to know?
iPhone videos are often HEVC in a .MOV file, which some Windows PCs and older phones can't play. This tool turns them into MP4 files that play everywhere. There's more on that on the iPhone video page.
Can I make it smaller than 25 MB?
Yes. Use 10 MB, or Custom for any size from 1 MB up.