Optimize Images & Videos for Email - Size Guide 2026
Optimize images and attachments for email without bouncing.
Email Image Sizes
| Type | Dimensions | Aspect Ratio | Max Size | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Email Body Image | 600 x 400 (or 600px wide) | 3:2 or wider | 200 KB recommended | JPG, PNG, GIF |
| Email Signature Image | 300-600px wide, 70-100px tall | Variable | 50 KB | JPG, PNG |
| Newsletter Hero Image | 600 x 300 | 2:1 | 200 KB | JPG, PNG |
| Email Banner | 600 x 200 | 3:1 | 100 KB | JPG, PNG |
| Retina Email Image | 1200 x 800 (displayed at 600 x 400) | 3:2 | 300 KB | JPG |
Email Video Specs
| Type | Resolution | Max Duration | Max File Size | Bitrate | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Email Attachment | N/A — videos as attachments | N/A | 25 MB (Gmail), 20 MB (Outlook) | N/A | MP4, MOV |
| Embedded GIF | 600px wide max | 5-10 seconds recommended | 1 MB | N/A | GIF |
Recommended Compression Settings for Email
Image Compression
- Quality Level
- 70-80% for email body images
- Best Format
- JPG for photos at 70-80%, PNG for logos/icons
Video Compression
- Codec
- N/A (link to hosted video instead)
- Video Bitrate
- N/A
- Audio Bitrate
- N/A
Quick Tips for Email
Keep total email size under 100 KB (excluding attachments) for best deliverability. Large emails are more likely to land in spam.
Design for 600px width — this is the standard email content width across Gmail, Outlook, and Apple Mail.
Use 2x resolution images displayed at half size for Retina screens (e.g., 1200px image displayed at 600px width).
Gmail blocks images by default for unknown senders. Always include alt text and ensure your message makes sense without images.
Never embed videos directly. Use an animated GIF thumbnail that links to the hosted video. Most email clients block video playback.
Gmail attachment limit is 25 MB total. Outlook is 20 MB. Compress images before attaching to stay under limits.
Free Tools to Optimize for Email
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Compress VideoFrequently Asked Questions
What is the best image size for emails?
Use 600px width for standard resolution or 1200px width displayed at 600px for Retina screens. Keep each image under 200 KB. Total email size (including all images) should be under 100 KB for best deliverability and loading speed.
What is the Gmail attachment size limit?
Gmail allows up to 25 MB in total attachments per email. For larger files, Gmail automatically creates a Google Drive link. Outlook limits are 20 MB. Yahoo Mail allows 25 MB. Compress files before attaching to stay under limits.
Can I embed videos in email?
Most email clients (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo) do not support embedded video. Instead, use an animated GIF thumbnail with a play button overlay that links to the video hosted on YouTube, Vimeo, or your website.
What image format should I use for email?
Use JPG at 70-80% quality for photographs. Use PNG for logos, icons, and images requiring transparency. Use GIF for simple animations (under 1 MB). Avoid WebP and AVIF — many email clients do not support them.
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