Why can’t I send large video files by email?
Even a one-minute 1080p video exceeds the attachment limit of most email services. Gmail’s attachment limit is 25 MB. Outlook business accounts often have an attachment limit of around 20 MB. A video can be dozens of times larger than that limit. Reducing the quality to make it fit changes the work you deliver.
| Channel | What happens | Suitability for file delivery |
|---|---|---|
| Gmail attachment | Attachments over 25 MB either bounce or become Drive links | Not suitable |
| Outlook attachment | Business accounts often have a limit of around 20 MB | Not suitable |
| WhatsApp / Messenger | Compresses video and limits duration and size | Does not deliver the original file |
| YouTube or Vimeo | Compresses video for viewing and does not provide the file unchanged | For viewing |
| SendGB link | Sends the file unchanged; only the link goes in the email | For delivery |
How much video fits in 5 GB?
The durations below are approximate. Even at the same resolution, duration varies with frame rate and codec. The aim is to show whether the free limit is enough for a short film or a few minutes of a master file.
| Export | Typical bitrate | Approximate duration in 5 GB | When it is enough |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1080p H.264 | 8–15 Mbps | 45–90 minutes | Client preview, lesson, interview |
| 4K H.264 / H.265 | 20–45 Mbps | 15–35 minutes | Short deliverable, ad, clip |
| ProRes 422, 1080p | About 150 Mbps | 4–5 minutes | Intermediate editing export |
| ProRes 422, 4K | About 500 Mbps | Around 1 minute | Masters quickly reach the free limit |
For ProRes and camera RAW files, 5 GB is often not enough. See the transfer limits table below for these files.
What are the video transfer limits for each option?
Free transfers require no sign-up. If you deliver files throughout the year, SendGB Extra provides storage and a higher transfer limit. For an occasional large file, use SendGB Exceed without a subscription.
| Free | SendGB Extra | SendGB Exceed | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per transfer | 5 GB | 500 GB | Up to 1 TB |
| Storage | For the transfer’s retention period | 1 TB | Single-use code |
| Sign-up | Not required | Account required | Not required |
| Retention | 90 days up to 250 MB, 7 days above that | Up to 1 year | 7 days |
| Price | Free | From €29.90 per year | €9.99 for 1 TB |
| Best for | Previews and short projects | Regular deliveries | One-time large delivery |
How to send
- 1
Add your video
Add your files to the upload box on the home page. You can include multiple clips in the same transfer. The free limit is 5 GB total.
- 2
Choose link or email delivery
Send the link to the recipient’s email address, or copy and paste it into Gmail, WhatsApp, or SMS. Add a password if you want.
- 3
The recipient downloads
The recipient downloads the original file from the link in their browser and does not create an account. Free transfers over 250 MB stay available for 7 days. Free transfers up to 250 MB stay available for up to 90 days.
What happens to your file?
- Pixels, audio, and timecode stay unchanged.
- MP4, MOV, MKV, MXF, and camera files are accepted.
- The recipient does not install an app.
- If you add a password, anyone with the link needs it to download.
What we don’t do
- There is no built-in Gmail or Outlook add-on. You paste the link yourself.
- We are not a video player or color space converter. The downloaded file is the uploaded file.
- The free 5 GB limit is not enough for a 4K ProRes master. Larger files can be sent with SendGB Extra or SendGB Exceed.
Frequently asked questions
How large a video can I send for free?
Up to 5 GB per transfer without signing up. That is roughly an hour of 1080p H.264 video or a shorter 4K export. Duration depends on the bitrate. If 5 GB is not enough, SendGB Extra supports up to 500 GB per transfer, and SendGB Exceed supports up to 1 TB per transfer.
Can I send video without compression?
Yes. SendGB does not alter your file. The MOV, MP4, MKV, or MXF you upload is the same file the recipient downloads. Resolution and image quality stay unchanged. YouTube and WhatsApp recompress video. SendGB does not.
Which video formats can I send?
All of them. MP4, MOV, MKV, AVI, MXF, MTS, and camera folders can be sent as files. SendGB does not convert your file to another format.
How do I send an original video through WhatsApp or Messenger?
Do not attach the file to the chat. Create a transfer and paste the download link into your message. The recipient downloads the original file from the link. The app does not compress the video.
How do I get around Gmail’s 25 MB limit?
Do not attach the video to your email. Create a transfer and paste the link into Gmail. Gmail does not accept attachments over 25 MB. The link is short, so the email goes through even if the video is 5 GB.
Does the recipient need an account?
No. The recipient downloads from the link in their browser and does not create an account. No sign-up, app, or SendGB account is required.
Can I send multiple videos in one transfer?
Yes. You can add multiple files to the same transfer. To send the files from a camera card or project folder together, add them to the same upload box. The free limit applies to the total size, not the file count.
How long does the download link stay available?
Free transfers up to 250 MB stay available for up to 90 days. Free transfers over 250 MB stay available for 7 days. SendGB Extra keeps files for up to 1 year. SendGB Exceed transfers stay available for 7 days. Once the retention period ends, the file can no longer be downloaded.
Can I password-protect the link?
Yes. You can add a password when sending. Anyone with the link needs the password to download the file. Send the password separately from the link.
Which option should I choose if 5 GB is not enough?
If you often send large files, SendGB Extra offers 1 TB of storage and 500 GB per transfer, starting at €29.90 per year. For an occasional, very large file, SendGB Exceed requires no subscription and costs €9.99 for a 1 TB transfer. The code can be used once and is valid for 1 year.
Send your video as a link, not an attachment
No sign-up is required to send up to 5 GB. For longer master files, use SendGB Extra or a one-time SendGB Exceed transfer.
Start sending