How to Compress Video for Discord (8MB Limit Guide)

Discord has become the go-to platform for gaming communities, friend groups, and professional teams. But if you've ever tried to share a video in Discord, you've probably run into the dreaded 8MB file size limit. This restriction makes sharing videos frustrating, especially when Nitro subscriptions cost $9.99/month just to increase that limit.

In this guide, you'll learn exactly how to compress videos for Discord's 8MB limit without paying for Nitro, losing quality, or using complicated software.

Why Discord Has an 8MB File Size Limit

Discord limits free users to 8MB uploads for several practical reasons:

Server Costs: Discord hosts billions of files across millions of servers. Larger file sizes multiply storage and bandwidth costs exponentially. The 8MB limit helps Discord remain financially sustainable while offering a free service.

Performance: Smaller files load faster, reducing lag in busy servers. When hundreds of users are active simultaneously, every megabyte counts toward maintaining smooth performance.

User Experience: Quick uploads and downloads create a better experience. Large files can timeout or fail, especially on mobile connections.

Monetization Strategy: The upload limit creates value for Nitro subscriptions:

• Discord Free: 8MB limit
• Nitro Classic: 50MB limit ($4.99/month)
• Nitro: 500MB limit ($9.99/month)

For most users, learning to compress videos is more practical than paying $120/year for Nitro.

Understanding Discord Video File Sizes

Before compressing, it helps to understand what makes video files large or small. Video file size is determined by:

1. Resolution (Biggest Factor)

Resolution is the number of pixels in your video:

• 4K (3840×2160): ~8.3 million pixels per frame
• 1080p (1920×1080): ~2 million pixels per frame
• 720p (1280×720): ~921,000 pixels per frame
• 480p (854×480): ~410,000 pixels per frame

For Discord: Most users view videos in small player windows. 720p or even 480p looks perfectly fine at these sizes. Dropping from 1080p to 720p typically cuts file size by 50-60%.

2. Bitrate (Quality Setting)

Bitrate controls how much data is used per second of video. Higher bitrate = higher quality but larger files.

Typical bitrates:

• High quality 1080p: 8-12 Mbps
• Medium quality 1080p: 4-6 Mbps
• Discord-friendly 720p: 1.5-2.5 Mbps
• Discord-friendly 480p: 0.8-1.5 Mbps

Pro tip: Variable Bitrate (VBR) uses less data on simple scenes (like someone talking) and more on complex scenes (like gameplay with explosions). This creates smaller files than Constant Bitrate (CBR) at the same quality level.

3. Frame Rate

Frame rate is how many frames display per second:

• 60 fps: Smooth motion, twice the data of 30fps
• 30 fps: Standard for most videos, plenty smooth
• 24 fps: Cinematic look, smallest file size

For Discord: Unless you're sharing fast-paced gameplay, 30fps is fine. Dropping from 60fps to 30fps cuts file size nearly in half.

4. Duration

Obviously, longer videos = larger files. A 10-second clip at the same quality settings will be 10x smaller than a 100-second clip.

Strategy: Trim unnecessary beginning/end portions. Start right before the interesting moment and end right after.

5. Audio Quality

Audio contributes less to file size than video, but it still matters:

• High quality audio: 320 kbps (stereo)
• Medium quality: 128 kbps (stereo)
• Discord-friendly: 64-96 kbps (mono or stereo)

Most Discord videos don't need high-fidelity audio. 96 kbps is sufficient for voice and game sounds.

Step-by-Step: Compress Videos for Discord

The easiest way to compress videos for Discord is using SqueezeVideos, a free browser-based tool specifically designed for this purpose.

Method 1: Using SqueezeVideos (Recommended)

Why SqueezeVideos?

• Completely free and unlimited
• Works in your browser (no installation)
• Has a Discord-specific preset that automatically targets 8MB
• Your videos never leave your device (100% private)
• Supports all video formats

Steps:

1. Visit SqueezeVideos.com
2. Select your video by clicking the upload area or dragging your file
3. Choose the Discord preset from the compression settings
4. Click "Compress" and wait for processing (usually 30-60 seconds)
5. Download your compressed video
6. Upload to Discord - it should be under 8MB!

The Discord preset automatically:

• Reduces resolution to 720p (if higher)
• Sets optimal bitrate for 8MB target
• Adjusts audio to 96 kbps
• Maintains 30fps
• Uses efficient H.264 codec in MP4 container

Method 2: Manual Compression (Advanced Users)

If you need more control, here are the optimal settings for Discord:

Target settings for 60-second video:

• Resolution: 720p (1280×720) or 480p for longer videos
• Video Codec: H.264 (most compatible)
• Bitrate: 1.5-2 Mbps for 720p, 0.8-1.2 Mbps for 480p
• Frame Rate: 30fps
• Audio Codec: AAC
• Audio Bitrate: 96 kbps
• Format: MP4

Calculating bitrate for different durations:

The formula: (Target MB × 8) / Duration in seconds = Total bitrate in Mbps

For 8MB target:

• 10 seconds: Up to 6.4 Mbps
• 30 seconds: Up to 2.1 Mbps
• 60 seconds: Up to 1.0 Mbps
• 120 seconds: Up to 0.5 Mbps

Remember to subtract ~0.1 Mbps for audio from your video bitrate.

Advanced Tips for Discord Video Compression

Tip 1: Trim Before Compressing

Don't compress a 2-minute video if you only need 30 seconds of it. Trimming first gives you much higher quality in your compressed result because more bitrate can be dedicated to the important parts.

Tip 2: Use Two-Pass Encoding

Two-pass encoding analyzes your entire video first, then compresses it with optimal settings. This produces smaller files at the same quality compared to one-pass encoding. SqueezeVideos uses two-pass encoding automatically on its Discord preset.

Tip 3: Match Content to Settings

Different content types compress differently:

Talking head videos: Compress extremely well. Lots of static background, minimal motion. You can use lower bitrates.

Gameplay footage: Requires higher bitrates due to constant motion and detail. Consider dropping resolution instead.

Screen recordings: Often compress well since many pixels stay the same between frames. Consider higher frame rates if showing cursor movement.

Tip 4: Consider WebM Format

While MP4 is more compatible, WebM typically produces smaller files at the same quality. Discord supports WebM, but not all devices can play it outside Discord. Use WebM if you only care about in-Discord viewing.

Tip 5: Crop Unnecessary Areas

If your video has black bars or unnecessary borders, crop them out before compressing. Fewer pixels = smaller file size without quality loss.

Discord File Limit Comparison

Here's what you get with each Discord tier:

Reality check: Most videos can be compressed to under 8MB with minimal quality loss. Unless you regularly share long, high-quality videos, learning compression is more economical than Nitro.

Common Discord Video Problems & Solutions

"File too large" error

Solution: Your video is over 8MB. Use SqueezeVideos' Discord preset to automatically compress it. If it's still too large, try:

1. Trimming duration
2. Reducing resolution to 480p
3. Using the "Aggressive" quality setting

Video looks pixelated/blocky

Solution: Your bitrate is too low for the resolution. Either:

1. Increase bitrate (but file gets larger)
2. Decrease resolution (keeps file small while improving quality)
3. Trim video shorter (allows higher bitrate in 8MB budget)

Audio out of sync with video

Solution: This usually happens with VFR (variable frame rate) videos from screen recordings. Convert to CFR (constant frame rate) during compression. SqueezeVideos handles this automatically.

Discord won't play the video

Solution: Discord is picky about formats. Use:

• Container: MP4 or WebM
• Video codec: H.264 (for MP4) or VP9 (for WebM)
• Audio codec: AAC (for MP4) or Opus (for WebM)

SqueezeVideos outputs Discord-compatible formats by default.

FAQ

Q: Can I compress videos on my phone for Discord?

A: Yes! SqueezeVideos works in mobile browsers. Just visit the site on your phone, select your video, choose the Discord preset, and compress. It works on both iOS and Android.

Q: Does compression reduce video quality?

A: Yes, but it's usually imperceptible at Discord's viewing sizes. The Discord preset is specifically tuned to maximize quality while staying under 8MB. Most users can't tell the difference between the original and compressed versions when viewed in Discord.

Q: How long does compression take?

A: With SqueezeVideos, typically 30-90 seconds for a 1-minute video, depending on your device's processing power. Since it runs in your browser, faster computers compress faster.

Q: Is there a limit to how many videos I can compress?

A: No! SqueezeVideos is completely free with unlimited compressions. Compress as many videos as you need.

Q: Can I compress videos with SqueezeVideos in batch?

A: Yes, SqueezeVideos supports batch compression. You can compress multiple videos at once using the batch mode feature.

Q: Why not just use Discord Nitro?

A: Nitro is great if you use other features (custom emojis, server boosting, etc.), but it's expensive if you only want larger uploads. Compression is free and takes seconds per video. However, if you share videos constantly and have the budget, Nitro is more convenient.

Q: Will Discord ever increase the free upload limit?

A: Unlikely. The 8MB limit has been consistent for years and is a core part of Discord's business model. Learning to compress videos is a better long-term solution.

Conclusion

Discord's 8MB limit doesn't have to stop you from sharing videos. With tools like SqueezeVideos and the knowledge in this guide, you can compress videos in seconds while maintaining quality that looks great in Discord's video player.

Quick recap:

1. Use SqueezeVideos with the Discord preset for instant compression
2. Trim videos before compressing to maximize quality
3. 720p at 30fps is the sweet spot for most Discord videos
4. Audio quality can be reduced to 96 kbps without noticeable loss

Stop letting file size limits frustrate your Discord experience. Start compressing!

Ready to compress your Discord videos? Visit SqueezeVideos now - it's free, unlimited, and takes just seconds.