How to Send Large Files via Email (5 Easy Methods)
Can't send large files via email? Learn 5 easy ways to share big files, videos, and documents that exceed email size limits. Free options included.
You hit compose, attach your file, click send, and nothing happens. The attachment is too large. Every major email provider caps attachments at somewhere between 20 and 25 MB, and most videos, design files, and high-resolution PDFs blow past that limit without trying.
The good news is that sending large files via email is a solved problem. You just need to work around the attachment limit instead of fighting it. This guide covers five practical methods for sharing big files through email, whether you are dealing with a 50 MB PDF, a 2 GB video, or anything in between.
Email Attachment Size Limits
Before picking a method, it helps to know what you are working with. Here are the current attachment limits for major email providers:
| Email Provider | Max Attachment Size |
|---|---|
| Gmail | 25 MB |
| Outlook / Hotmail | 20 MB |
| Yahoo Mail | 25 MB |
| Apple Mail (iCloud) | 20 MB |
| ProtonMail | 25 MB |
These limits apply to the total size of all attachments in a single email, not per file. And because email attachments get encoded in Base64 during transmission, the actual usable limit is roughly 25% smaller than what is listed. A 25 MB limit really means you can attach about 18-19 MB of actual file data.
If your file is anywhere close to these limits, or over them, use one of the methods below.
Method 1: Convert Your File to a Shareable Link (Best Option)
The simplest way to send a large file through email is to skip the attachment entirely. Upload the file to a hosting service, get a shareable link, and paste that link into your email.
This approach works for any file type and any file size. The recipient clicks the link to view or download the file directly in their browser. No special software needed on either end.
How to do it:
- Go to Linkyhost and upload your file.
- Copy the shareable link you receive.
- Paste the link into your email body.
- Send.
That is it. The recipient gets a clean link that works on any device. Files stay available as long as you need them, and you can track how many times the link has been opened.
This method is especially useful for PDFs, presentations, and documents you share repeatedly. Instead of attaching the same 15 MB file to every email, you share one link. If you work with PDFs regularly, the PDF link generator makes this even faster.
Pros: No file size limit, works with any file type, recipient does not need an account, trackable.
Cons: Requires the recipient to click a link instead of opening an attachment directly.
Method 2: Use Cloud Storage (Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive)
If you already use a cloud storage service, you can upload your file there and share it via link. Gmail even prompts you to use Google Drive automatically when an attachment is too large.
Google Drive: Free up to 15 GB of storage. Upload your file, right-click, select "Share," and copy the link. Gmail integrates this natively.
Dropbox: Free up to 2 GB of storage. Upload and generate a shared link from the file menu.
OneDrive: Free up to 5 GB. Works similarly to Drive and integrates with Outlook.
Pros: Tight integration with their respective email clients, familiar interface.
Cons: Storage limits apply to your total account (not just the shared file), the recipient may need to sign in depending on your sharing settings, and managing permissions across multiple services gets messy fast.
Method 3: Compress the File First
Sometimes a file is only slightly over the limit. Compressing it into a ZIP archive can shrink it enough to fit as a regular attachment.
On Windows: Right-click the file, select "Send to," then "Compressed (zipped) folder."
On Mac: Right-click the file and select "Compress."
Compression works best on text-based files like documents, spreadsheets, and code. It will not help much with files that are already compressed, like JPEGs, MP4 videos, or MP3s.
If you receive a compressed file and need to extract it, you can use an online unzip tool to open it directly in your browser without installing anything.
Pros: No third-party service needed, keeps the file as a direct attachment.
Cons: Only helps when the file is marginally over the limit, does not work well with media files, recipient needs to know how to unzip.
Method 4: Use a File Transfer Service
Dedicated file transfer services like WeTransfer, SendAnywhere, and Smash are designed specifically for sending large files. You upload the file, enter the recipient's email address, and the service delivers a download link.
WeTransfer offers free transfers up to 2 GB. The free tier includes a download link that expires after 7 days. Paid plans increase the limit and add features like password protection.
These services work well for one-off transfers, but the links expire. If you need a permanent or long-lived link, a file hosting approach like Method 1 is a better fit.
Pros: Simple interface, no account required for basic transfers.
Cons: Links expire, free tiers have size caps, limited control over how long the file stays available, no tracking on free plans.
Method 5: Split the File Into Parts
If you absolutely must send a file as an email attachment and nothing else will work, you can split it into smaller pieces and send each piece in a separate email.
On Windows: Use 7-Zip. Right-click the file, choose "Add to archive," and set a split volume size (e.g., 18 MB).
On Mac: Use the terminal command split -b 18m filename to break the file into 18 MB chunks.
The recipient reassembles the parts using the same tool or by concatenating the files.
Pros: Works without any third-party service or cloud account.
Cons: Tedious for both sender and recipient, error-prone, the recipient needs to know how to reassemble the parts. This should be a last resort.
How to Send Large Videos via Email
Video files are the most common culprit behind oversized attachments. Even a short 2-minute clip recorded on a modern phone can exceed 200 MB. Here is how to handle them.
The best approach is to upload the video and share it as a link. This lets the recipient stream or download the video without dealing with massive attachments, and it works regardless of file size.
You can upload a video and generate a shareable link in under a minute. The recipient clicks the link and the video plays directly in their browser. No downloading, no file size warnings, no bounced emails.
Other options for video:
- YouTube or Vimeo: Upload as an unlisted video and share the link. Good for longer videos, but adds compression and requires an account.
- Google Drive: Upload and share via link. Works up to 15 GB on the free tier.
- Compress the video: Tools like HandBrake can reduce video file size significantly, though at the cost of quality. Reducing resolution from 4K to 1080p or lowering the bitrate often cuts the file size by 50-75%.
If you regularly send video through email for work, creating a permanent link is far more efficient than re-uploading every time.
How to Send Large PDFs via Email
PDFs are the second most common file type that exceeds email limits, especially scanned documents, design proofs, and reports with embedded images.
Quick fixes for PDFs:
- Compress the PDF. A PDF compressor can often reduce file size by 50-80% without noticeable quality loss, especially for scanned documents.
- Share as a link. Upload the PDF and paste the link in your email. This is the fastest option for large or frequently shared documents.
- Remove unnecessary pages. If only part of the document is relevant, extract just those pages before sending.
For a deeper look at PDF-specific options, see our full guide on how to send large PDF files.
Comparison Table
| Method | Max File Size | Free? | Link Tracking? | Ease of Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shareable link (Linkyhost) | Unlimited | Yes | Yes | Very easy |
| Cloud storage (Drive, Dropbox) | 2-15 GB | Limited | No | Easy |
| Compress (ZIP) | ~25 MB after compression | Yes | No | Moderate |
| Transfer service (WeTransfer) | 2 GB (free) | Limited | Paid only | Easy |
| Split file | Unlimited (in theory) | Yes | No | Difficult |
For most people, converting the file to a shareable link is the fastest and most flexible option. Cloud storage is a solid alternative if you are already invested in that ecosystem. The other methods work in specific situations but come with significant trade-offs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum file size I can email? Most email providers cap attachments at 20-25 MB. Due to encoding overhead, the practical limit is closer to 18-19 MB of actual file data.
Can I send a 100 MB file via email? Not as a direct attachment. You will need to use a shareable link, cloud storage, or a file transfer service. Converting the file to a link is the fastest method.
Is it safe to send large files via a link? Yes, as long as you use a reputable hosting service. The link method is often more secure than email attachments because you can control who has access and see when the file is downloaded.
How do I send a large video file through email on my phone? Upload the video to a file hosting service or cloud storage app on your phone, copy the shareable link, and paste it into your email. Most hosting services have mobile-friendly upload pages that work directly from your phone's browser.
Why does my email say the attachment is too large when the file is under 25 MB? Email attachments use Base64 encoding during transmission, which increases the file size by about 33%. A 20 MB file becomes roughly 27 MB after encoding, which exceeds most providers' limits.
Do shareable links expire? It depends on the service. Some file transfer services expire links after 7 days. Dedicated file hosting services typically keep your links active indefinitely.