Discord File Size Limit 2026: 10MB Free, 500MB Nitro
Discord file size limits
Discord has different file size limits depending on your subscription tier:
| Tier | File Size Limit |
|---|---|
| Free | 10 MB |
| Nitro Basic | 50 MB |
| Nitro | 500 MB |
Discord lowered the free upload limit from 25 MB to 10 MB in 2024, so files that used to fit may now be rejected. Server boosts raise the cap for everyone in a server (Level 2 = 50 MB, Level 3 = 100 MB).
If you're on the free plan (most users), any file over the 10 MB limit will be rejected. This includes images, videos, PDFs, and any other file type.
In a hurry? Our Compress for Discord tool shrinks any video, image, or PDF to fit Discord's upload limit in one step — or keep reading for per-format tips.
Common files that exceed Discord's limit
- HD photos — Modern smartphone photos are often 5-15 MB each. A few photos can quickly hit the limit.
- Screen recordings — Even short recordings can be 50-200 MB.
- Video clips — 1080p videos are almost always over 10 MB.
- PDF documents — Scanned documents with images can easily exceed 10 MB.
How to compress files for Discord
Images
Use our image compressor to reduce photos to under 10 MB. Most images can be compressed to 1-5 MB with no visible quality loss.
Videos
Use our video compressor to reduce videos to fit Discord's 10 MB limit. A 30-second 1080p clip can typically be compressed to 8-10 MB.
PDFs
Use our PDF compressor to shrink large PDF documents. Set the target to 8 MB to stay safely under Discord's 10 MB limit.
Tips for sharing on Discord
- Compress before uploading — Don't wait for Discord to reject your file. Compress first.
- Use the right format — For photos, JPEG is smaller than PNG. For screenshots with text, PNG may be better.
- Split large files — If a file can't be compressed enough, split it into multiple parts.
- Consider cloud links — For very large files, upload to Google Drive or Dropbox and share the link.
FAQ
Can I increase Discord's file size limit?
Yes, by upgrading to Nitro Basic (50 MB) or Nitro (500 MB). But compressing files is free and works for most use cases.
Does compressing a video reduce quality?
Some quality reduction is expected, but with smart bitrate targeting, the difference is often imperceptible for Discord viewing.
Can I compress animated GIFs for Discord?
Yes. Use our GIF compressor to reduce animated GIF sizes to fit the 10 MB free upload limit.