Video files are monsters. Without compression, your 30-second clip would break email servers, buffer endlessly on decent WiFi, and fill up your phone storage faster than impulse purchases fill up your closet. The truth about video files that no one tells you: they're absurdly, unnecessarily huge by default.

Thankfully, video compression exists—the digital equivalent of vacuum-sealing your winter clothes. It shrinks files without destroying quality, making them actually usable in the real world. The catch? You'll need to navigate the unnecessarily complex world of codecs, bitrates, and file formats that somehow still haven't been standardized after decades of digital video.

Whether you're trying to email footage to a client or upload content without waiting until next Tuesday, here are six practical methods to compress your videos without turning them into pixelated messes. No unnecessary steps, no downloading sketchy software—just solutions that actually work.

What is video compression?

Video compression is the process of reducing a video's file size while maintaining essential visual quality. This is achieved through codec software, which determines which data can be discarded without significantly impacting quality. Common video codecs, such as H.264 and H.265 (HEVC), use different compression algorithms to optimize file size and playback efficiency.

6 effective methods to compress video files

Now that we understand video compression, let's explore six easy methods you can use to make a video file smaller.

1. Compress video with ZIP files

Zipping a large video file is one of the easiest ways to reduce its size without altering its quality. Here's how to create a compressed ZIP file on both Mac and Windows:

Mac

1. Find the video file in Finder that you want to compress.
2. Right-click on the file.
3. Select "Compress [filename]" from the context menu.

This will generate a ZIP file in the same location as the original video.

Windows

1. Find the video file in File Explorer.
2. Right-click on the file.
3. Hover over "Send to" and then select "Compressed (zipped) folder" from the submenu.

A ZIP archive will be created in the same directory as the original video file.

2. Convert video format to reduce file size

Converting your video to a more efficient format can help reduce its file size. A widely used format for online video is MP4 (MPEG-4) with the H.265 (HEVC) codec, which offers high compression while maintaining good video quality. This format is ideal for streaming and sharing due to its compatibility across devices and platforms.

To convert a video to another format in a video editing program, simply:

Step 1: Find the video you wish to compress on your device.

Step 2: Load your video file into a video editing software. Popular choices include Handbrake, iMovie, and Descript.

Step 3: Choose a new format and codec. Opt for a more compressed format like MP4 with the H.265 (HEVC) codec, which is known for its high compression and good video quality.

Step 4: Export your video. During the export process, select your desired format and codec.

Step 5: Save the newly compressed video to your device and verify the reduction in file size.

Not all video formats and codecs compress data in the same way. Some may retain more detail while others prioritize reducing file size. If one format results in excessive quality loss, experimenting with different codecs like H.264, H.265, or AV1 can help balance compression and quality.

3. Trim video length to reduce file size

Does your video contain extra footage at the beginning or end? Are there unnecessary sections in the middle? Trimming unnecessary parts can significantly reduce the overall file size without sacrificing quality.

You can do this with any video editing software. The workflow will be similar for most applications including iMovie, Adobe Premiere, or Descript's video editor.

Here's how to reduce the length of your video using most video editing software:

1. Import the video file to a video editing tool like Descript.
2. Use the slice, cut, or trim tool to shorten the beginning and end, or remove any parts of the video file you don't need.
3. Select Export, share, or render depending on the software you're using. (This would be a good time to incorporate the next few suggestions as you set the encoder options to further reduce file size.)

4. Lower video resolution for smaller files

When compressing a video, consider where it will be shared. If you're uploading to YouTube and the original resolution exceeds 1080p, reducing it to 1920x1080 pixels can significantly shrink the file size while maintaining high definition.

For social media platforms where videos are primarily viewed on mobile devices, lowering the resolution further can be beneficial. While modern smartphones support high-resolution playback, a smaller screen means lower resolutions remain visually acceptable while reducing file size.

For social media, a resolution of 720p, which is 1280 pixels by 720 pixels, may be a good choice. Square videos work just as well. You can easily reduce the file size by cropping a 1920 x 1080 video file to a square 1080 pixels by 1080 pixels.

Here's how to reduce the resolution of a video by cropping it:

1. Determine the viewing platform: Understand where your video will be primarily viewed—on YouTube, social media, or mobile devices—to choose the appropriate resolution.
2. Open your video editing software: Import your video file into a video editing program like Descript.
3. Access resolution settings: Navigate to the video settings or export settings where you can choose a preset resolution.
4. Adjust the resolution:
   1. For YouTube: If the original resolution exceeds 1080p, scale it down to 1920 pixels by 1080 pixels.
   2. For general social media: Lower the resolution to 720p (1280 pixels by 720 pixels) as it balances quality and file size well for mobile viewing.
   3. For Instagram posts: Crop the video to a square format of 1080 pixels by 1080 pixels if it fits the content.
5. Export and save: Save the newly adjusted video and ensure the file size has been reduced as desired. It helps to use a descriptive file name for easy referencing later on.

5. Reduce bitrate to compress video files

Reducing the bitrate is an easy way to reduce file size without shortening your video or changing the size of the image. However, it may not be the most intuitive fix unless you know what the ideal bitrate for your particular video resolution is.

Many social media platforms impose file size limitations on video uploads. A bitrate of around 5 Mbps works well for 1080p videos. If the video is still too large, adjusting the bitrate further can help reduce its size without noticeable quality loss.

Here's how to reduce the bitrate of a video to compress it:

1. Identify the ideal bitrate: Determine the suitable bitrate for your video based on its resolution and platform it will be uploaded to. For instance, 8 Mbps for 1080p and 5 Mbps for 720p videos are good starting points for online streaming (at standard frame rates).
2. Open your video editing software: Import your video file into a video editing program like Descript.
3. Navigate to the export, render, or share step in your software and locate the bitrate or video quality setting.
4. Adjust the bitrate: In user-friendly interfaces like Descript, you can select a video quality level such as low, medium, or high. In more advanced settings, type in the desired bitrate value.
5. Choose variable bitrate (VBR): If available, select the VBR option for a balance of video quality and file size.
6. Select encoding pass: If given a choice, opt for 2-Pass Encoding to improve video quality, though be prepared for a longer encoding time.
7. Export as an MP4 and save: Save the newly compressed video to your device and playback using your device's media player to confirm the reduction in file size.

6. Use online tools to compress videos

Online video compressors allow you to shrink video file size without needing specialized software. Some tools, like FreeConvert and Clideo, support custom compression settings, letting you adjust file size or quality preferences.

A few online video compressors worth considering are:

• Descript
• Online Converter
• Video Smaller
• Adobe
• Cloud Convert

Descript is one of the best video compressors out there. It makes it easy to compress video quickly. Here's how to resize and compress videos in just a few steps.

1. Prepare your MP4 files: Ensure you have the MP4 videos you want to compress. If you have videos in other file types like M4V, MPEG, and MOV, don't worry—Descript can handle these too.
2. Upload your videos to Descript: Launch the Descript web platform and upload your video files to the editing dashboard.
3. Edit your video (optional): Before compressing, seize the opportunity to edit your video if necessary. Trim unwanted parts, create subtitles from the automatic transcription, and use AI to remove unwanted background noise.
4. Compress your video: Click the Share button in Descript and select Export. You'll now have the opportunity to set your video's resolution and dimensions, either creating a new file or publishing it directly to YouTube.
5. Export and save: Once you're satisfied with the settings, proceed to export your video. Save the compressed file to your device in a video file format such as MP4, MKV, or a ZIP file. Alternatively, you can share it directly to your preferred platform, such as Dropbox or YouTube.

Compression Without Quality Loss

To compress videos without losing quality, it's essential to use high-efficiency codecs like AV1, which offers better compression efficiency compared to older codecs such as H.265 and VP9.

• Adjust settings in video editors to balance quality and file size.
• Reduce the bitrate from 8 Mbps to 5 Mbps for a 1080p video to significantly shrink the file size without noticeable quality loss.

Descript's AI-driven editing capabilities can help automatically optimize these settings based on the video content, ensuring a balance between quality and file size. For more information on codecs, visit this article.

Detailed Explanation of Online Compression Tools

Online compression tools like FreeConvert and Clideo allow users to shrink video file sizes without requiring specialized software.

• These tools support multiple formats, including MP4, FLV, and MKV.
• Users can adjust compression settings to meet specific needs.

Descript also offers robust video compression capabilities, enabling users to export videos in various formats optimized for different platforms. For more on online tools, check this guide.

How to compress videos on different devices

The process for compressing a video can differ depending on the device you're using. Below are steps tailored for Mac, Windows, and mobile devices like iPhone and Android—all of which help you reduce the video file size while maintaining decent video quality.

How to compress videos on Mac

Here's how to use a Mac device to compress video:

1. Locate your video file: Find the video file you wish to compress on your Apple computer.
2. Open a video editor: iMovie and QuickTime Player are user-friendly options for basic video editing and compression tasks. For more advanced features, download the free Descript app for Mac.
3. Import your video: Add your video file to the editor and access the export settings.
4. Adjust compression settings: Customize the resolution, bitrate, and file format to reduce the video file size.
5. Export and save: Save the compressed video file to your desired location or share it directly to social media or other platforms.

How to compress videos on Windows

1. Locate your video file: Find the video file you want to compress on your Windows device.
2. Open a video editor: Use your preferred video editor, like the Windows version of Descript, to start the compression process.
3. Import your video: Load your video file into the editor and navigate to the export or compression settings.
4. Adjust compression settings: Modify the resolution, bitrate, and encoding settings to achieve a smaller file size.
5. Export and save: Save the compressed video to your device or share it directly to platforms like YouTube or social media.

How to compress videos on iPhone and Android

If you don't have a desktop computer to compress video files, here's how to do it from your smartphone.

1. Locate your video file: Access the video file you wish to compress on your device.
2. Download a video compressor app: Install a reputable video compressor app from the App Store or Google Play Store, such as Compress Videos & Resize Video.
3. Open the app and import your video: Load your video file into the app and access the compression settings.
4. Adjust compression settings: Customize the resolution, bitrate, and other settings to reduce the video file size.
5. Save and share: Save the compressed video back to your device or share it directly to social media or other platforms.

Why compress videos? Benefits explained

Compressing a video reduces the file size, which makes it easier to share your video content. If you're posting a YouTube video to your channel, for example, a compressed video will be much quicker to upload.

Smaller video files are easier to share via email. For instance, Gmail limits attachments to 25 MB, while Outlook allows up to 20 MB. Compressing your video beforehand ensures it can be sent as an attachment without needing external cloud storage.

Factors that increase video file size

Three core elements primarily determine the size of a video file: the video resolution, the bitrate, and the encoding method.

Understanding these factors lets you compress large video files without compromising the visual appeal. This way, you can avoid quality loss, save storage space, and keep your footage from getting muddled.

Resolution impact on video size

Resolution is the actual size, in pixels, of your video image. When people refer to a video in terms of “1920 by 1080” or “4K,” they're referencing the video's resolution. A 1080p high-definition video, for example, has an image size of 1,920 pixels wide and 1,080 pixels tall.

That video has over 2 million pixels per frame, with each pixel holding unique data identifying the color and brightness. Multiply that by the number of frames per second—commonly between 24 and 60 frames per second—and you can see why uncompressed video files are so large.

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Bitrate and video file compression

Bitrate is the amount of data being transferred at a given time. It's typically measured in bits per second (bps), kilobits per second (Kbps), or megabits per second (Mbps).

In general, higher bitrates can transfer more data per second, resulting in higher video quality, but also larger video files. At the other end of the spectrum, lower bitrates can transfer less data, resulting in smaller files.

You can encode a video using constant bitrate (CBR) or variable bitrate (VBR). CBR maintains a consistent rate for the duration of the video, whereas VBR will adjust the rate depending on the complexity of the video from moment to moment.

Video encoding and file size

Encoding is the process of compressing video files into a specific file type like AVI, MOV, WMV, or MPEG. Some video formats and codecs compress data more efficiently. Selecting an efficient video codec in your video editor, like H.264, often leads to high-quality videos with reduced file sizes.

There are two key elements of a video file during the encoding process:

1. Container. People often refer to the container as the "file format." Common examples of a container would be MP4 and MOV file types.
2. Video codec. The codec is held within the container and is responsible for applying the compression. Different codecs, including lossless codecs and lossy codecs, handle compression in different ways. Think of it as using different mathematical methods to solve the same problem.

Want to join the thousands of creators already using Descript's video editing software? Take a tour of the dashboard today.

Video compression FAQs

Can I compress video size without losing quality?

Anyone can compress a video to make it smaller. This can be done by trimming unnecessary footage, lowering the resolution, reducing the bitrate, or converting it to a more efficient format.

How do I reduce the file size of a video?

1. Trim or cut your footage
2. Change the video format
3. Reduce the video resolution
4. Reduce the bitrate
5. Use a free video compressor

How can I compress videos for free?

You can reduce the size of a video for free by trimming unwanted sections or using free video compression tools like Descript or VLC. These tools allow you to adjust compression settings while retaining video quality.

How do you compress large video files?

• Upload a large video file to Descript's free online video compressor
• Trim unwanted parts from your footage
• Edit the video using AI
• Adjust the bitrate
• Change the resolution
• Export and publish your compressed video

How does video resolution impact file size?

Video resolution determines the amount of data in each frame, with higher resolutions like 1080p containing more pixels than lower resolutions. This results in larger file sizes because more data is being processed and stored. Understanding resolution can help optimize file size while maintaining quality, as detailed in this article.

What is the benefit of using AV1 codec for compression?

The AV1 codec offers significantly better compression efficiency than older codecs like H.264 and H.265, allowing for smaller file sizes without sacrificing quality. This makes it ideal for online streaming and sharing across platforms. Learn more about AV1 in this resource.