Facebook allows users to upload videos to share with friends, family, or even publicly. However, there are limits on the size of videos that can be uploaded. Understanding the size restrictions can help you prepare videos appropriately before uploading them to Facebook.
Facebook’s Video Size Limit
The maximum file size for videos uploaded to Facebook is 4GB. Any video larger than 4GB will be too big to upload. The 4GB limit applies to high quality HD videos as well as longer standard definition videos.
There are a couple key factors that determine a video’s file size:
- Resolution – The number of horizontal and vertical pixels in the video. Higher resolution videos take up more space.
- Length – The duration of the video. Longer videos are larger in file size.
- Bitrate – The amount of data used to store one second of video, measured in kbps (kilobits per second). Higher bitrates create larger file sizes.
So a long, high-resolution video encoded at a high bitrate will have a very large file size, while a short, low-res video at a low bitrate will be much smaller. The maximum 4GB limit means you won’t be able to upload ultra HD or lengthy videos at very high quality settings.
Recommended Upload Settings
To ensure your video files are within the 4GB limit, here are some recommended upload settings for different video lengths:
| Video Length | Resolution | Bitrate |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 minute | 1080p (1920×1080) | 8 Mbps |
| 1 to 5 minutes | 720p (1280×720) | 5 Mbps |
| 5 to 15 minutes | 480p (854×480) | 2.5 Mbps |
| 15 to 30 minutes | 360p (640×360) | 1 Mbps |
These settings should keep most typical video lengths under the 4GB maximum while maintaining decent video quality. You may need to use lower resolutions or bitrates for very long videos approaching the 30 minute mark.
Compressing Large Videos
If you have a high quality or lengthy video that exceeds the 4GB size limit, you’ll need to compress it before uploading to Facebook. Here are some tips for reducing video file size:
- Use video editing software to reduce resolution. 720p or 480p is recommended.
- Trim unnecessary footage to shorten the video duration.
- Adjust encoder settings for a lower bitrate. YouTube’s recommended uploading bitrate is 8 Mbps or lower.
- Use video optimizing tools to compress while maintaining quality.
- Convert to a more efficient codec like H.264.
Re-encoding or converting the video to a smaller file size can take some time but is necessary to meet Facebook’s limit. There are many video compressor software tools available that will reduce the size significantly without major impacts to quality.
Uploading Options
When uploading a video to Facebook, you have three options:
- Upload Video – Upload a video file from your computer. Supports MP4, MOV, and AVI formats.
- Embed Video – Paste an embedded video link from YouTube, Vimeo or other sources.
- Live Video – Go live using your webcam or mobile device.
The 4GB file limit applies only to videos uploaded directly – embedded or live videos can exceed that size restrictions. Live streaming particularly has no set duration or size limits.
Video Hosting on Facebook
Facebook compresses and processes videos after you upload them to optimize for playback in the Facebook Video Player. Some additional size and duration limits apply:
- Max Duration: 240 minutes
- Max Size: 10240 pixels width, 5120 pixels height
- Aspect Ratio: Between 9×16 and 16×9
Videos exceeding those limits may be cropped or resized when processed. For best results, upload videos using the recommended resolutions in the earlier table.
Uploaded videos can be viewed on Facebook in the News Feed, Profile, Groups and Watch tabs. Videos are encoded to auto-play as users scroll through feeds, so compression is vital for quick load times.
Facebook Video Quality
Facebook re-encodes videos to a bitrate around 1 Mbps at 720p resolution after processing. This means video quality is limited on Facebook compared to the originally uploaded file.
Higher resolution source files will look better on Facebook than low-quality files. But there are diminishing returns beyond 720p for the embedded player size.
To maximize quality, upload the highest resolution within the 4GB limit that your equipment allows. Re-encoding will reduce quality, but starting with pristine sources gets best results.
Download Options
If you want to let viewers download the full high-quality video, Facebook offers some options:
- Add a link to the original video file in the caption or description (requires hosting it elsewhere).
- Upload natively in 720p or lower resolution.
- Use Creator Studio to upload videos in HD that viewers can toggle to high-res.
Integrating links to external hosts like YouTube, Vimeo, etc can allow people to view or download near-original quality. But native Facebook hosting limits quality to their capped bitrate.
Facebook Video Guidelines
In addition to the technical limits, Facebook enforces guidelines on video content. Videos violating the rules may be removed.
Some key Facebook video guidelines include:
- No nudity or sexually explicit content
- No hate speech, graphic violence, or illegal content
- No copyright violations or unauthorized use
- No misleading, false, or sensational content
Review Facebook’s full Community Standards for other rules and restrictions. Content should be appropriate for a broad audience.
Conclusion
Understanding Facebook’s maximum video size limit of 4GB and recommended resolutions can help you properly prepare and compress videos for uploading. While quality is reduced from the original file, starting with high-quality sources and compressing thoughtfully will deliver the best results.
Uploading videos that meet the size limit and Facebook’s content guidelines will ensure your videos successfully publish to Facebook without issues. Compressing overly large files before uploading makes the process easier. Then viewers can enjoy your videos with smooth playback.