Discord 25MB File Limit Got You? Here's the Fix
Trying to share that hilarious clip in Discord but getting "Your files are too powerful"? Yeah, Discord's 25MB limit is a buzzkill. Good news: I've compressed thousands of files for Discord servers. Here's exactly how to make any file fit without buying Nitro.
TL;DR - Quick Discord Fix
- 1. Most files over 30 seconds need compression
- 2. Use 720p for videos (1080p rarely fits)
- 3. Our video compressor has a Discord preset
- 4. For images, JPEG at 85% quality works great
Keep reading for specific settings per file type.
Discord's File Limits Explained (2025 Update)
Discord increased the free limit from 8MB to 25MB in 2024. Here's the current breakdown:
Current Discord Limits
What Files Usually Exceed 25MB?
- Videos: Anything over 30-45 seconds at 1080p
- GIFs: Most GIFs over 10 seconds or larger than 500x500px
- Images: Uncompressed PNGs, RAW photos, 4K screenshots
- Audio: Songs over 3 minutes in WAV/FLAC format
- Screen recordings: Almost always too large without compression
Best Compression Settings by File Type
📹 For Videos
🎞️ For GIFs
GIFs are tricky because they're inherently inefficient. Consider converting to video instead - Discord plays MP4s automatically now.
- • Max dimensions: 480px width
- • Frame rate: 15-20 fps (not 30+)
- • Use fewer colors if possible
- • Convert to MP4 for 90% smaller files
🖼️ For Images
- • Convert PNG to JPEG (except for transparency)
- • Use 85-90% JPEG quality
- • Resize to 2000px max dimension
- • Screenshots: crop out unnecessary areas
Step-by-Step Discord Compression
Step 1: Check Current File Size
Right-click your file and check properties/info. If over 25MB, you'll need to compress. Videos over 1 minute at 1080p usually exceed the limit.
Step 2: Choose Compression Method
For videos: reduce to 720p/30fps. For images: convert to JPEG at 85% quality. For GIFs: reduce dimensions or frame rate.
Step 3: Compress the File
Use our converter with Discord preset, or manually set video to 720p, 30fps, 2Mbps bitrate. This works for 90% of Discord uploads.
Step 4: Verify and Upload
Check the compressed file is under 25MB, then drag into Discord. If still too large, reduce quality further or trim length.
Pro Discord Tips
🎬 Screen Recording Hack
Instead of uploading gameplay videos, use Discord's "Share Screen" feature. You can stream up to 1080p/60fps to friends without any file limits.
🔗 The Google Drive Method
For files you can't compress enough: Upload to Google Drive, make shareable, paste link in Discord. The preview bot will show thumbnails.
🎵 Audio Files Trick
Convert music to 128kbps MP3. Discord re-encodes audio anyway, so higher quality is wasted. Opus format is even smaller if your converter supports it.
Common Discord Upload Mistakes
Alternative Solutions
For Large Files
- • Streamable: Free video hosting
- • Imgur: For image albums
- • Medal.tv: Gaming clips
- • YouTube: Unlisted videos
Discord Features
- • Go Live: Stream instead of upload
- • Voice Channel: Screen share
- • Threads: Break up content
- • Canvas: For presentations
Is Nitro Worth It?
If you're constantly hitting the limit, maybe. But for $5-10/month, you could just compress your files. Nitro's 500MB limit is nice, but how often do you really need to upload 500MB files to Discord?
My take: Learn to compress properly first. If you're still hitting limits daily, then consider Nitro. Most people just need better compression settings.
Discord FAQ
What is Discord's file size limit without Nitro?
25MB for free users (previously 8MB, updated in 2024). With Nitro Classic you get 50MB, and Nitro gives you 500MB. Server boosts can increase limits to 50MB or 100MB for everyone in that server.
Why are Discord files limited to 25MB?
Discord limits file sizes to manage server costs and bandwidth. Hosting millions of files gets expensive fast. The limits encourage users to compress files or upgrade to Nitro for revenue.
Can I bypass Discord's file limit without Nitro?
Not directly, but you can: 1) Compress files to under 25MB, 2) Upload to Google Drive/Dropbox and share links, 3) Use Discord's built-in screen share for videos, 4) Split large files into parts.
What's the best video format for Discord?
MP4 with H.264 codec works best. Discord can preview MP4s directly. For best compression, use 720p resolution at 30fps with 2-3 Mbps bitrate. This keeps most videos under 25MB.
Do Discord bots have different file limits?
No, bots have the same 25MB limit as regular users. Some bots can upload to external services and post links, but they can't bypass Discord's upload limits directly.
Ready to Share on Discord?
Stop letting file limits ruin your Discord game. Compress and share in seconds.