Sending a video through email? Oh, I've been there. I once tried to send a video of my niece's first steps to my family, only to get that "file too large" message. After all that excitement, I hit send, and... nothing.

I tried trimming it, compressing it—everything you could think of. But by the time I figured it out, the moment felt long gone. That's when I realized there had to be a better way.

Jump to:

• Why Videos and Emails Don't Mix Well
• 4 Ways to Share Large Videos via Email
• How to Troubleshoot Common Issues When Sending Videos via Email
• Send It Your Way

 

Why Videos and Emails Don't Mix Well

Email systems were originally designed for text-based communication, not for handling large media files like videos. This fundamental mismatch creates a significant challenge when trying to share your precious moments via email.

Most email providers impose strict size limits on attachments to manage server space and ensure efficient delivery. These limits typically range from 20 to 25 megabytes, which is often insufficient for modern video files.

To put this into perspective, here's a quick reference guide for typical smartphone video file sizes:

Video Length	Approximate File Size
<1 minute	40-300 MB
2-5 minutes	200 MB - 1.5 GB
>5 minutes	1 GB - 5 GB or more

 

Note: These sizes are estimates for videos recorded at 1080p (Full HD) resolution. 4K videos will be significantly larger.

As you can see, even a short one-minute video can easily exceed the attachment limits of most email services. For comparison, here are the attachment limits for some popular email providers:

• Gmail: 25 MB attachment limit
• Outlook: 20 MB attachment limit
• Yahoo Mail: 25 MB attachment limit

It's worth noting that while these are the attachment limits, some providers offer expanded storage options. For instance, Gmail and Outlook users have access to 15 GB of total storage through Google Drive and OneDrive respectively, which can be used for larger file sharing.

 

4 Ways to Share Large Videos via Email

Since email providers typically limit the size of attachments, sending large video files can be challenging. But don’t worry, there are several ways to get around these file limits.

Here are four effective methods to share large videos via email: 

1. Compress the Video

Compressing a video means shrinking its file size so that it’s easier to send through email or other platforms with size limits. Although this may slightly affect its quality, modern compression techniques do a great job of balancing file size and visual clarity.

There are several tools available to help with this. Here are some of the best ones:

VEED.IO

VEED.IO is an intuitive tool for reducing video sizes while keeping the quality intact. It helps you save storage space and makes uploads faster. Plus, you can edit your videos right in the platform—adding subtitles, trimming, and more.

How to compress with VEED.io

1. Upload your video by either dragging it in or recording directly.
2. Choose the compression settings yourself, or let VEED find the best balance between size and quality for you.
3. Once compressed, you can export the file or continue editing with its full range of tools.

InVideo 

InVideo is great for compressing videos in multiple formats like MP4, MOV, and more. It allows you to compress videos by up to 80% without losing too much quality. InVideo is perfect for quick compression with no need to sign up.

How to compress with InVideo:

1. Upload your video file (up to 800MB).
2. Select your preferred compression quality—higher compression will reduce the size more but may affect quality slightly.
3. Download the compressed file, and you’re ready to share it.

Riverside.fm

Riverside.fm lets you reduce file sizes without making things complicated. It’s fast and free, and it works well for keeping quality intact.

How to compress with Riverside.fm:

• Upload your video to the platform.
• Set your compression preferences and apply the changes.
• Once it’s ready, download the compressed file, and you’re all set.

 

2. Use Cloud Storage

Cloud storage is another great solution for sending large video files via email. It involves uploading your video to a cloud hosting site and generating a shareable link. You can then insert this link into the body of the email to share your video with the recipient.

Google Drive 

Google Drive offers 15 GB of free storage and works seamlessly with Gmail. Uploading and sharing videos is straightforward. If you want a step-by-step guide, check out our article on how to upload photos to Google Drive—the steps are nearly identical for videos.

Dropbox

Dropbox is known for its simplicity and cross-device compatibility. It provides 2 GB of free storage and is great for those who need a quick and user-friendly way to share videos. Here's how you can use it:

Here’s how it works:

1. Log in to dropbox: Sign in via the website or app.
2. Upload your video: Click the "Upload" button, select "Files," and choose your video. Dropbox allows you to drag and drop files, making the process simple.
3. Generate a shareable link: After uploading, hover over the video, click "Share," and Dropbox will create a link for you.
4. Send the link: Paste the link into an email or message for quick sharing. No Dropbox account is required for the recipient to view the video.

OneDrive

If you’re a Windows user, OneDrive is likely already integrated into your workflow. With 5 GB of free storage, it’s a natural choice for those working within the Microsoft ecosystem. Here’s how you can use it:

1. Log in to OneDrive: Access it through your Microsoft account on the web or mobile app.
2. Upload your video: Click "Upload" and select the video file, or simply drag and drop it into OneDrive.
3. Create a shareable link: Once uploaded, right-click the video, select "Share," and adjust the access permissions as needed.
4. Share the link: Copy and paste the link into your email or message. The recipient can stream or download the video without needing a OneDrive account.

iCloud 

For Apple users, iCloud provides a built-in option for sharing videos without size restrictions. It’s perfect for those who are already using iOS or macOS devices. Here’s how iCloud works for video sharing: 

1. Access iCloud Drive: This service is built directly into your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, so no need to download anything extra. 
2. Upload your video: Head to iCloud Drive and upload your video. 
3. Generate a share link: Once your video is uploaded, right-click and select "Share." You can adjust permissions to control who can access the file. 
4. Send the link: Share the link via email or message. The recipient can view the video even if they don’t have an iCloud account.

3. Use Video Sharing Platforms

Video-sharing sites let you easily send large video files by sharing a simple link.

You just need to upload your video in common formats like MP4, MOV, or AVI, and the platform takes care of the rest.

This method eliminates the hassle of attachment limits and allows the recipient to view the video directly without downloading.

The best video sharing sites to consider include:

YouTube

YouTube is perfect when you want to share your videos with a wide audience. It's free, easy to use, and everyone knows how it works. Your friends and family can watch your videos on their phones, computers, or even smart TVs without any fuss.

To send a YouTube video via email:

1. Go to YouTube.com and log in using your Google account.
2. Click the camera icon at the top right and select "Upload Video."
3. Choose the video from your device and set your privacy options (Public, Unlisted, or Private).
4. Once uploaded, click "Share" to get the video link.
5. Paste the link into your email and send it.

Vimeo

Vimeo is ideal if you want your videos to have a more polished look. It's ad-free, so your viewers won't get distracted by commercials. While not as well-known as YouTube, Vimeo is great for sharing higher-quality videos with a select group of people.

To send a Vimeo video via email:

1. Go to Vimeo.com and log in to your account.
2. Click "New Video" and choose "Upload" to select your video.
3. Set your privacy settings (Anyone, Only me, or People with a private link).
4. After uploading, copy the private link under the video player.
5. Paste the link into your email and send it.

 

4. Use File Transfer Services

The last way to send large video files is to use file transfer services.

File transfer services let you upload your video to a third-party cloud, generate a shareable link, and send that link via email. Some of the best services to consider are:

WeTransfer

WeTransfer is a widely used file transfer service that allows you to send up to 2 GB of files for free.

Steps to use WeTransfer:

1. Visit the WeTransfer website.
2. Upload your video file.
3. Enter the recipient’s email address.
4. Click “Transfer” to send the file.
5. Copy the shareable link once the upload is complete and paste it into your email.

Send Anywhere

Send Anywhere offers a more secure option by generating a unique 6-digit key that the recipient must enter to access the file.

Steps to use Send Anywhere:

1. Visit the Send Anywhere website.
2. Upload your video file.
3. Generate a unique 6-digit key.
4. Send the key and link to the recipient via email.
5. The recipient enters the key to access and download the video.

 

How to Troubleshoot Common Issues When Sending Videos via Email

Sometimes, your videos just won't go through via email despite your best efforts. When that happens, take the following steps to get things moving again:

Fix Unsupported Video Formats

Sometimes, videos won’t play because they’re in a format your email client doesn’t support. Convert your video to a more universal format like MP4 using free tools like VLC Media Player or an online converter. This ensures compatibility across most platforms.

Improve Slow Upload Speeds

Slow upload speeds can delay sending your video. Here’s how to optimize:

• Check Your Connection: Use a wired connection for more stability, or move closer to your Wi-Fi router.
• Limit Bandwidth Usage: Pause other activities like streaming or large downloads while uploading.

By addressing these common issues, you can make sure your videos are delivered efficiently and in a format that works for everyone.

 

Send It Your Way

There are plenty of ways to get your video through email, even when size limits get in the way. For smaller videos, you can attach them directly or compress the file. If that’s not enough, using cloud storage like Google Drive or Dropbox is a solid option for larger files. And if you’re dealing with unsupported formats, converting the video before sending makes all the difference.

Pick the method that works for your device and file size, and get that video where it needs to go.