How to Reduce Video File Size
A video's file size is mostly the amount of data used each second multiplied by its duration.
The four useful controls
Bitrate is the direct size control. Resolution, frame rate and codec influence how effectively those bits describe the picture.
- Lower bitrate for a smaller file.
- Lower resolution when the target bitrate is tight.
- Reduce frame rate for low-motion footage.
- Use modern, compatible codecs where available.
Choose the destination first
An email attachment, a website background and an archive master need different settings. Define the limit and viewing context before encoding.
Aim below hard limits
Container metadata and measurement conventions introduce small differences. A 9.5MB target is safer than 10.0MB for a hard 10MB limit.