How to Reduce Video Size for Facebook

Nothing kills your content workflow faster than a giant video file that refuses to upload to Facebook. After spending hours shooting and editing, the last thing you want is an endless loading bar or a vague error message. This guide breaks down exactly how to reduce your video size for Facebook without sacrificing quality, so you can get back to creating.

Why Does Video File Size Even Matter for Facebook?

Before jumping into the "how," it helps to understand the "why." Shrinking your video file isn't just about getting it to upload, it directly impacts your content's performance and your own sanity. A smaller, optimized file means a better experience for everyone.

• Faster Uploads: This is the most obvious benefit. A 5GB video can take forever to upload, especially on a slower internet connection. A compressed 500MB version will be live in a fraction of the time, saving you from a major headache.
• Better Viewing Experience: Large, uncompressed videos can cause buffering issues for viewers, especially those on mobile devices or with weaker Wi-Fi. A smaller file size means your video starts playing faster and streams more smoothly, keeping your audience engaged instead of frustrated.
• Avoiding Facebook's Limits: Facebook has specific limits on video uploads. Currently, the maximum file size is 10GB and the maximum length is 240 minutes. While 10GB sounds huge, a high-resolution 4K video can easily exceed that limit, even if it's not very long.

Understanding Facebook's Recommended Video Specs

To optimize your video effectively, you need to know what you're aiming for. Facebook's algorithm will re-compress your video anyway, so giving it a file that's already close to its ideal specs can help preserve quality. Here are the general guidelines:

• Format: MP4 or MOV are the big winners. Facebook supports a wide range of formats, but H.264 video with AAC audio in an MP4 container is the industry standard and your most reliable bet.
• Resolution: Up to 4K is supported, but 1080p (1920x1080 pixels) is the sweet spot. Uploading in 1080p delivers excellent quality without creating an unnecessarily large file. For mobile-first content like Reels or Stories, a vertical resolution of 1080x1920 is ideal.
• Frame Rate: Stick to 30 frames per second (fps) or less. Higher frame rates (like 60fps) are great for gaming videos but double the file size with little benefit for most other types of content on Facebook.
• Length: Up to 240 minutes for feed videos, but we all know shorter is better for engagement. Reels have a separate limit, currently up to 90 seconds.

Now, let's get into the practical methods for shrinking your video files.

Method 1: Trimming the Fat (Literally)

Sometimes the simplest solution is the best one. Before you mess with complex settings, re-watch your final edit. Is there any fluff you can cut?

• Are there a few seconds of dead air at the beginning or end?
• Is there a section in the middle that drags on or doesn't add value?
• Could your intro or outro be shorter?

Cutting just 10-15 seconds from a video can significantly reduce its file size without touching the quality of the remaining footage. You can do this in your primary video editor, or use a simple, free tool.

Quick Trimming Tools:

• On Mac: Open your video in QuickTime Player. Go to Edit >, Trim (or press Command+T). A yellow trimming bar will appear at the bottom. Drag the handles to select the part of the video you want to keep and click "Trim." Then, save the new, shorter file.
• On Windows: Open your video with the built-in Photos app. Click the "Video Trim" button (it looks like a pencil or crop icon) at the top. Use the white sliders on the playback bar to set your new start and end points, then click "Save a copy."

Always trim first. Don't waste time compressing footage you're going to delete anyway.

Method 2: Exporting with the Right Settings (Resolution and Bitrate)

The biggest impact on your file size comes from two key settings: resolution and bitrate. You can often adjust these directly in your video editing software when you export the final file.

Understanding Resolution

Resolution is simply the number of pixels that make up your video. A 4K video (3840x2160 pixels) contains four times as many pixels as a 1080p video (1920x1080). While that sounds great, the difference is often unnoticeable on the small screens of phones and laptops where most people watch Facebook videos. Exporting at 1080p is a perfect balance of quality and file size.

Understanding Bitrate

Bitrate is the amount of data used to encode one second of video. It's measured in megabits per second (Mbps). Lowering the bitrate is one of the most effective ways to shrink a file. Think of it like this: a high bitrate captures more detail (and uses more data), while a lower bitrate captures less detail (and uses less data).

When you export from software like Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or DaVinci Resolve, look for the export settings. You'll almost always find options to set the format (MP4), resolution (1080p), and a target bitrate.

Recommended Bitrate Settings for Facebook:

• For 1080p video at 30fps: A great target is an average bitrate between 8-10 Mbps.
• For 720p video at 30fps: You can go as low as 4-6 Mbps and still get good results.

Your editing software might have presets like "High Quality 1080p" that are way too high for social media (sometimes 20-30 Mbps). Creating your own custom export preset configured for Facebook's needs will save you a ton of time.

Method 3: Compressing a Pre-Existing Video with Free Tools

What if you already have a massive video file and don't want to go back into your complex editing project? No problem. You can use free video converter tools to compress the file directly. Our top recommendation is HandBrake.

HandBrake is a free, open-source tool available for Mac, Windows, and Linux. It gives you incredible control over your video compression. It may look intimidating at first, but you only need to focus on a few settings.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using HandBrake:

1. Install and Open HandBrake: Head to the official HandBrake website, download the version for your OS, and install it.
2. Import Your Video: Open the app and it will prompt you to select a source file. Choose the large video you want to compress.
3. Choose a Preset: Under the "Preset" dropdown, a great place to start is General >, Fast 1080p30. This will automatically configure many settings for a good balance of speed and quality.
4. Check the Format: On the "Summary" tab, make sure the "Format" is set to MP4.
5. Adjust Video Settings (The Important Part): Go to the "Video" tab.
   • Make sure the "Video Encoder" is set to H.264.
   • Under "Framerate (FPS)," select 30.
   • For "Quality," you have two main options: Average Bitrate or Constant Quality. For social media, Average Bitrate (kbps) gives you more control over the final file size. Type in 8000 (which is 8 Mbps). Check the "2-Pass Encoding" box for a slightly higher-quality result, though it takes longer to process.
6. Check Audio Settings: Head over to the "Audio" tab. Set the "Codec" to AAC and the "Bitrate" to around 128 or 160. Anything higher is overkill for social media.
7. Set a Destination: At the bottom of the window, click "Browse" to choose where to save your new, smaller video file. Give it a new name so you don't overwrite the original.
8. Start Encoding: Click the green "Start Encode" button at the top. HandBrake will get to work. Once it's done, compare the new file size to the original. You'll likely see a massive reduction.

A Quick Checklist for Smaller Facebook Videos

Feeling overwhelmed? Here’s a simple workflow to follow every time you prepare a video for Facebook.

1. Trim First: Cut any unnecessary footage from the beginning, middle, or end.
2. Export at 1080p: When exporting from your video editor, choose a 1920x1080 or 1080x1920 resolution.
3. Set Your Bitrate: Aim for a target bitrate of 8-10 Mbps for 1080p, 30fps video.
4. Choose the Right Format: Always pick MP4 (H.264 video with AAC audio).
5. Compress If Needed: If the final file is still too large, run it through a tool like HandBrake using the settings above.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to reduce your video size is a fundamental skill for any content creator or social media manager. By trimming your clips, choosing the right resolution and bitrate, and using a simple compression tool when needed, you can ensure your videos upload quickly, look great, and provide a smooth experience for your audience every time.

Getting your videos properly formatted is just one part of the puzzle. We built Postbase because we were tired of tools that wrestled with modern video formats. Our platform is designed for today’s short-form video reality, so you can upload your content once and schedule it flawlessly across all your social accounts - including Facebook, Reels, TikTok, and Shorts - without a second thought about compression headaches or failed posts. It just works.