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Optimize Images & Videos for Discord - Size Guide 2026

Share images, videos, and GIFs on Discord without hitting limits.

Discord Image Sizes

TypeDimensionsAspect RatioMax SizeFormat
Shared ImageUp to 4096 x 4096Any25 MB (free), 50 MB (Nitro Basic), 500 MB (Nitro)JPG, PNG, GIF, WebP
Avatar128 x 128 (displayed)1:18 MBJPG, PNG, GIF (Nitro only for GIF)
Server Icon512 x 5121:18 MBJPG, PNG, GIF (boosted servers)
Server Banner960 x 54016:98 MBJPG, PNG, GIF
Emoji128 x 1281:1256 KBJPG, PNG, GIF
Sticker320 x 3201:1512 KBPNG, APNG, Lottie

Discord Video Specs

TypeResolutionMax DurationMax File SizeBitrateFormat
Shared VideoAnyLimited by file size25 MB (free), 500 MB (Nitro)VariableMP4, MOV, WebM
Stream / Screen Share720p (free), 4K 60fps (Nitro)UnlimitedStreaming2.5-8 MbpsLive stream

Recommended Compression Settings for Discord

Image Compression

Quality Level
90-95% (Discord preserves quality well)
Best Format
PNG for screenshots, JPG for photos, WebP for smaller files

Video Compression

Codec
H.264 for best compatibility
Video Bitrate
As high as file size allows
Audio Bitrate
128-256 kbps

Quick Tips for Discord

Free Discord accounts have a 25 MB file size limit. Compress videos under 25 MB to share without Nitro.

Discord does not compress images — what you upload is what people see. Optimize before uploading to save bandwidth.

For GIF avatars, you need Nitro. Keep animated avatars under 8 MB and simple for best display at small sizes.

Custom emoji must be 128 x 128 and under 256 KB. Use PNG for static, GIF for animated. Keep designs simple for clarity at small sizes.

Use WebP format for images when possible — same quality as PNG at 25-35% smaller file size, saving upload space.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Discord file size limit?

Free accounts: 25 MB per file. Nitro Basic: 50 MB. Nitro: 500 MB. If your video exceeds the limit, you need to compress it. Use H.264 encoding with a lower bitrate to fit within the 25 MB limit.

Does Discord compress images?

Discord does not apply lossy compression to uploaded images. However, it does convert some formats and may resize very large images for preview. The original file is always downloadable at full quality.

How do I share videos on Discord without Nitro?

Compress your video to under 25 MB using H.264 encoding. For a 60-second video, use approximately 3 Mbps bitrate. Alternatively, upload to YouTube or Streamable and share the link — Discord will embed the player.

What size should Discord custom emoji be?

Custom emoji must be exactly 128 x 128 pixels and under 256 KB. Use PNG for static emoji and GIF for animated ones. Keep designs simple with bold shapes — emoji are displayed at very small sizes in chat.

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