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How to Compress Images & Videos for Discord (8MB Limit Guide 2025)

January 15, 2025

8 min read

beginner

Discord app interface with file upload and compression tools displayed

How to Compress Images & Videos for Discord (8MB Limit) 2025

Discord is one of the most popular platforms for gaming communities, but free users face an 8MB file upload limit. This can be frustrating when trying to share high-quality images or videos. In this comprehensive guide, we'll show you exactly how to compress your files to meet Discord's requirements without sacrificing too much quality.

📊 Discord File Size Limits

Account Type	Upload Limit	Nitro Benefits
Free	8MB	-
Nitro Classic	50MB	Better quality sharing
Nitro	500MB	Premium sharing experience

💡 Quick Fact: Over 60% of Discord users are on free plans, making the 8MB limit a common challenge.

🎯 Quick Solutions

For Images (JPG, PNG)

Optimal quality: 80-85%
Expected compression: 50-70% size reduction
Tool: ImageWA Compressor

For Videos (MP4, MOV)

Resolution: 720p or lower
Bitrate: 1-2 Mbps
Expected compression: 60-80% size reduction
Duration: Under 30 seconds for 8MB

🖼️ How to Compress Images for Discord

Method 1: Using ImageWA (Recommended)

Step 1: Visit ImageWA Compress Tool

Step 2: Upload your image

Drag and drop your file
Or click "Upload Image"
Supports JPG, PNG, GIF, WEBP

Step 3: Adjust compression settings

Quality slider: Start at 80%
Preview: Check the estimated file size
AI Mode: Enable for smart compression

Step 4: Download and share

Click "Compress"
Download the optimized file
Upload to Discord

Example Results:
Original: 15.2 MB → Compressed: 4.8 MB (68% reduction) ✅
Quality: Excellent, Discord-ready!

Method 2: Discord-Specific Settings

For screenshots and photos:

Quality: 75-80%
Format: JPG (smaller than PNG)
Resize: 1920x1080 max

For memes and graphics:

Quality: 70-75%
Format: PNG or WEBP
Optimize colors: Reduce to 256 colors if possible

🎥 How to Compress Videos for Discord

Understanding Video File Sizes

Video file size depends on:

Resolution (1080p > 720p > 480p)
Bitrate (quality vs size trade-off)
Duration (longer = larger)
Codec (H.264 is standard)

Step-by-Step Video Compression

Option 1: Online Video Compressor

Visit a video compression tool
Upload your video file
Set target size: 7MB (leaving buffer)
Choose preset: "Discord 8MB"
Download and test

Option 2: HandBrake (Desktop)

Settings for Discord:

Resolution: 720p
Framerate: 24-30 FPS
Video Codec: H.264
Quality: RF 24-28
Audio: AAC, 128 kbps

Option 3: FFmpeg (Advanced)

ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vf scale=1280:720 -c:v libx264 -crf 28 -preset fast -c:a aac -b:a 128k output.mp4

Quick Tips for Video Compression

✅ DO:

Trim unnecessary parts first
Use 720p resolution
Keep videos under 30 seconds
Test file size before sharing

❌ DON'T:

Use 4K or 1080p unnecessarily
Keep high bitrates (>2 Mbps)
Upload without checking file size
Compress multiple times (quality loss)

🔧 Advanced Compression Techniques

1. Batch Compression

If you have multiple files:

Use ImageWA Batch Compress
Upload up to 20 files (Pro)
Apply same settings to all
Download as ZIP

2. AI-Powered Compression

AI analyzes your image type and automatically selects optimal settings:

Photos: Higher quality (85%)
Screenshots: Medium quality (75%)
Graphics: Lower quality (70%)
Memes: Optimized for clarity

3. Format Conversion

Sometimes changing format helps:

PNG → JPG: 60-80% smaller
GIF → MP4: 90% smaller (for animations)
BMP → WEBP: 85% smaller

📱 Compression for Different Content Types

Gaming Screenshots

Resolution: 1920x1080
Format: JPG
Quality: 80%
Result: 2-4 MB (perfect for Discord)

Memes & Graphics

Resolution: Keep original (usually small)
Format: PNG or WEBP
Quality: 70-75%
Result: &lt;1 MB typically

Reaction GIFs

Convert to: MP4 video
Resolution: 480p
Duration: 3-5 seconds
Result: 1-3 MB

Artwork & Fan Art

Resolution: 2048px max width
Format: JPG
Quality: 85%
Result: 3-6 MB

❓ Common Issues & Solutions

Issue 1: "File is still too large"

Solution:

Check actual file size (not estimated)
Reduce quality to 70%
Resize to 1280x720
Convert format (PNG → JPG)

Issue 2: "Quality loss is too much"

Solution:

Start with higher quality (85%)
Use AI compression mode
Don't compress multiple times
Consider Discord Nitro ($9.99/month)

Issue 3: "Video won't upload"

Solution:

Check format: MP4 recommended
Re-encode with H.264 codec
Reduce resolution to 720p
Split into shorter clips

Issue 4: "Animated content becomes static"

Solution:

GIFs: Convert to MP4 video
Use GIF Studio
Optimize frame rate
Reduce colors

Before Compressing

✅ Check original file size
✅ Trim/crop unnecessary parts
✅ Note the content type
✅ Decide target quality

During Compression

✅ Use quality preview
✅ Keep a backup of original
✅ Test different settings
✅ Compare before/after

After Compressing

✅ Verify file size < 8MB
✅ Check quality on mobile
✅ Test upload speed
✅ Save settings for next time

🆚 Compression Tools Comparison

Tool	Type	Max File Size	Batch	AI	Free
ImageWA	Online	10MB	Yes	Yes	Yes
HandBrake	Desktop	Unlimited	No	No	Yes
FFmpeg	Command	Unlimited	Yes	No	Yes
Discord Built-in	Native	N/A	No	No	Yes

💡 Recommendation: Use ImageWA for quick, online compression. Use HandBrake for video editing + compression.

📊 Real-World Examples

Example 1: Gaming Highlight

Original:
- Format: MP4 (Shadowplay recording)
- Resolution: 1920x1080
- Duration: 45 seconds
- Size: 52 MB ❌

After Compression:
- Resolution: 1280x720
- Bitrate: 1.5 Mbps
- Duration: 45 seconds
- Size: 6.8 MB ✅
- Quality: Still looks great!

Original:
- Format: PNG
- Resolution: 4096x2160
- Size: 18.4 MB ❌

After Compression:
- Format: JPG
- Resolution: 2048x1080
- Quality: 85%
- Size: 3.2 MB ✅
- Quality: Excellent for Discord

Example 3: Meme Collection

Original:
- 5 images, PNG format
- Average size: 3.2 MB each
- Total: 16 MB ❌

After Batch Compression:
- Format: JPG
- Quality: 75%
- Average size: 1.4 MB each
- Total: 7 MB ✅
- All shareable at once!

🚀 Pro Tips

Tip 1: Use Shortcuts

Create templates/presets:

Screenshot: 80% quality, 1920x1080, JPG
Video Clip: 720p, 1.5 Mbps, 30 FPS
Meme: 70% quality, original size, JPG

Tip 2: Compress Before Editing

If you're editing images:

Edit at high quality
Export at high quality
Compress for Discord last

Tip 3: Consider Alternatives

For large files:

Upload to Imgur/Google Drive
Share link on Discord
Use Discord's built-in file preview

Tip 4: Monitor Quality

Always check compressed file:

View at 100% zoom
Check on mobile device
Compare with original
Ask friends if quality OK

🔗 Quick Links & Resources

ImageWA Compressor - Best for images
GIF Studio - For GIFs and memes
Image Editor - All-in-one tool

Discord Resources

Discord File Limits - Official docs
Discord Nitro - Upgrade options
Discord Media FAQ - Best practices

💬 FAQs

Q: Can I batch compress multiple files for Discord?
A: Yes! ImageWA supports batch compression for up to 20 images. Perfect for sharing multiple screenshots or memes.

Q: Does compression affect image quality noticeably?
A: At 80% quality, most people can't tell the difference. Use the preview feature to check before downloading.

Q: How do I compress videos longer than 1 minute?
A: For 8MB limit, keep videos under 30-45 seconds at 720p. For longer videos, consider splitting into parts or using external hosting.

Q: Will compressed images look bad on mobile?
A: No! Mobile screens are smaller, so compressed images often look just as good. Always test on your phone.

Q: Is there a way to bypass the 8MB limit without Nitro?
A: You can upload to external services (Imgur, Google Drive) and share links, but this isn't as convenient as direct uploads.

Q: Can I compress GIFs for Discord?
A: Yes! Convert GIF to MP4 for better compression. Use GIF Studio for optimal results.