A video is usually too big for one of three reasons: the bitrate is high, the resolution is high, or the clip is long. Compressing it means saving the same pictures with less data, then exporting a file other people can open.
You can do that in the browser. On the free web converter, the upload limit is 200MB.
What to change first
Change the settings in this order.
- Format and codec. Export MP4 with H.264 (AVC). Phones, laptops, and most websites play that combination. HEVC can be smaller, and some older phones and browsers will not play it.
- Video bitrate. This is the main size control. A lower bitrate makes a smaller file. Drop this before you drop the resolution.
- Resolution. Use this when the bitrate is already low and the file is still too big. 4K to 1080p, or 1080p to 720p, is enough for most sharing. Going straight to a tiny frame makes the picture soft even when the bitrate is reasonable.
- Audio bitrate. Speech is fine at 128k. Music can stay at 192k. Cutting the audio further saves little compared with the video bitrate.
Length also sets the size. A ten-minute video at the same bitrate is about ten times a one-minute video. This converter does not trim clips. Shorten the video in the app that created it, then compress the shorter file.
Bitrates that stay watchable
These are starting points for an H.264 MP4, not a guarantee of the final file size. The encoder lands near the bitrate you set. Check the downloaded file and move one step if you need it smaller or sharper.
- 1080p (1920x1080): 4000k to 8000k
- 720p (1280x720): 2000k to 4000k
- 480p (640x480): 768k to 2000k
Screen recordings and talking-head clips can use the low end. Sports, games, and concerts need the high end, because the picture changes every frame.
Keep the original file. If the result is too soft, export again from the original. Compressing an already compressed file throws away more detail.
Compress a video on Ahelpers
- Open ahelpers.com.
- Select the video. MP4, MOV, AVI, WEBM, FLV, and other common formats are accepted, up to 200MB.
- Set Target format to MP4.
- Set Video options to Customize parameters.
- Set Video codec to H.264(AVC).
- Set Video bitrate from the list above.
- If you also change Resolution, set Scale mode to Fit (keep aspect) so a vertical video stays vertical.
- Set Audio bitrate to 128k for speech, or 192k if the soundtrack matters.
- Choose Start conversion, then download the result and play it once.
Leaving bitrate and resolution on Auto produces a normal compatible MP4. It does not aim at a smaller file. Set a bitrate when size is the problem.
On Android, Video Format Converter runs the same kind of conversion from the phone library.
If you already have an MP4, or you have a hard size cap
An MP4 can still be too big. The file gets smaller when you re-encode it at a lower bitrate or a lower resolution. The steps for that are in Compress an MP4 video to a smaller size.
Email forms and upload pages often stop at 50MB. Pick a bitrate from the length of the clip instead of guessing: How to compress a video to 50MB.
FAQ
Does a free online compress ruin the picture?
A lower bitrate keeps less detail. A moderate step, such as 1080p at 4000k–6000k, is usually fine for chatting and web uploads. Very low bitrates look blocky no matter which site you use.
Can I compress MOV, AVI, or WEBM the same way?
Yes. Set the target format to MP4 and the codec to H.264(AVC). The source container does not have to be MP4.
What if the file is larger than 200MB?
The free web converter will not take it. Export a smaller master, or a shorter clip, from the original app until the file is under 200MB, then run it through the steps above.