Lighten a video before sending it
Published · Updated 2 min read
A video is often too heavy for an email or a messaging app. Its weight depends on two things: its length, and its bitrate, that is the amount of information kept for each second of picture and sound. Compressing a video therefore comes down, in practice, to choosing a bitrate.
What the tool offers
Five video bitrates are offered: 500 k, 1 M, 2 M, 4 M and 8 M. The "k" means thousands of bits per second and the "M" millions. The tool accepts files up to 100 MB and the processing happens in your browser, with nothing sent.
The same clip at five bitrates
For a 20-second video of 1,280 by 720 pixels, weighing 14.7 MB with a bitrate of about 6 Mb/s, the resulting weight depends on the bitrate chosen.
| Bitrate chosen | Resulting weight |
|---|---|
| 500 k | 1,4 MB |
| 1 M | 2,6 MB |
| 2 M | 5,0 MB |
| 4 M | 9,7 MB |
| 8 M | 19,1 MB |
The rule to remember
The weight in megabytes is roughly the bitrate in megabits per second, multiplied by the length in seconds, then divided by eight. At 2 M for 20 seconds, you get 5 MB. A bitrate higher than the source's makes the file heavier instead of better: at 8 M, the example video weighs more than the original.
Processing time
The processing happens on your device, so it takes time: from 44 to 58 seconds for these 20 seconds of video on an ordinary computer. A longer video takes proportionally longer, and it is best to leave the page open until the end.
Which bitrate to choose
- For a message or an email: 500 k to 1 M.
- For everyday sharing: 2 M.
- To keep the detail, for example a video with a lot of movement: 4 M.
For which sendings
A message with an attachment, a messaging app that limits the size of videos or a form that accepts only a few MB: choosing the right bitrate lets you get under the limit while keeping a decent picture.
Check the result
- Watch the whole video, especially the passages with movement.
- Compare the weight with the sending limit.
- Keep the original.
Frequently asked questions
- How do you reduce the weight of a video?
- By choosing a lower bitrate. The tool offers 500 k, 1 M, 2 M, 4 M and 8 M. At 2 M, a 20-second video weighs about 5 MB.
- Why is my video heavier after compression?
- A bitrate higher than the original video's makes the file heavier instead of better. Choose a bitrate lower than the source's.
- How long does compression take?
- The processing happens on your device: expect 44 to 58 seconds for 20 seconds of video on an ordinary computer, and more for a longer video.
- Is my file sent to be compressed?
- No, the processing happens in your browser.