Compress a video
Shrink a video so it is easier to upload, attach, or drop into a page. The job re-encodes with H.264 and AAC. You set the CRF: a higher number throws away more detail and writes a smaller file.
Run this tool
Files stay under 20 MB. Successful encodes use compute seconds. Failures are not billed.
How it works
- 01Upload the video you want to shrink.
- 02Set the CRF. 28 is a reasonable default. Use something closer to 23 if the picture starts to fall apart.
- 03FFmpeg re-encodes the video and keeps the audio at 128 kbps AAC.
- 04Download the MP4. A successful compress uses compute seconds from your plan.
Limits
- Each file can be up to 20 MB. Successful runs count against your monthly compute seconds and request quota. Failed encodes are not billed.
- CRF runs from 18 (larger, sharper) to 35 (smaller, softer).
- Resolution and frame rate stay at the source values. This tool does not resize.
FAQ
Why is the compressed file sometimes not much smaller?
Sources that are already heavily compressed have little left to remove. A higher CRF makes a smaller file by discarding more picture detail.
Does compression crop or resize?
No. Frame size and frame rate stay as they are. Only the codec settings change.
Will the audio stay?
Yes. Audio is re-encoded to AAC at 128 kbps. Use Mute a video if you want the soundtrack gone.
Related tools
Convert a video to MP4
Convert WebM, MOV, MKV, and other videos to an H.264 MP4 that plays in browsers and editors. Sign in to run it — successful converts use your FFmpeGo compute seconds.
Mute a video
Remove the audio track from a video and download a silent MP4. Sign in to run it. Successful mutes use your FFmpeGo compute seconds; failures are free.
Convert a video to a GIF
Turn a short video clip into an animated GIF in the browser. Pick the frame rate, width, and length. Sign in to run it — successful encodes use your FFmpeGo compute seconds.
Need this in your app?
The same encode is available as POST /v2/run. Send the inputs and FFmpeg args from your own code, and pay only for successful compute seconds.