How to make a video file smaller
Shorten the clip, reduce unnecessary resolution, then adjust bitrate. Re-encoding can reduce size, but it can also change picture quality.
Understand the trade-off
Trim material you do not need before changing encoding settings. Reducing the number of pixels or the video bitrate can save data, but lossy re-encoding cannot promise an identical picture. Inspect faces, small text, movement and gradients.
Auto may copy compatible streams when no visual edits are requested. This preserves the encoded media and is useful for changing containers, but it does not significantly compress the video payload. Choose a quality or bitrate setting when you want a new encode.
A useful starting point
- Set clip start and end using the thumbnail handles.
- Try a smaller resolution such as 480p, 720p or 1080p.
- Use Smaller file quality, or enter a target bitrate.
- Remove audio only when the clip does not need sound.
Use the editor
- Drop a video onto the home page; processing happens in your browser.
- Use the thumbnail timeline to set the clip boundaries. Zoom to the clip for precise adjustments.
- Choose an aspect ratio, then move or resize the crop frame.
- Select the output format. Open Advanced export settings only if you need quality, resolution, frame rate or bitrate controls.
- Export, then play the saved file before sharing it.
Test a short sample
Test a short section that includes movement, text and audio before exporting the full video. Trim and crop edits re-encode the selected video; Auto can preserve compatible unedited streams. Keep the source file so you can try again.
Check the result
Inspect the beginning and end, the subject’s framing, audio sync and small text. Check file size and dimensions, then preview the destination platform’s upload: it may resize or recompress the result.