Discord raised its free upload limit to 20 MB per file on August 14, 2026, double the 10 MB cap it had used since 2024. That covers screenshots and short clips, but a few minutes of gameplay footage, a mod pack or a zipped project folder still blows straight past it, and Discord answers with its familiar "Your files are too powerful" message.
Here are the limits as they stand today, and four ways to send something bigger without paying for Nitro.
Discord upload limits in 2026
- Free accounts: 20 MB per file (raised from 10 MB on August 14, 2026)
- Nitro Basic: 50 MB per file
- Nitro: 500 MB per file
Plenty of guides still quote 10 MB for free accounts. That was true until mid-2026, but it is out of date now.
Why your file is too big
Video is almost always the culprit. Game capture tools record at high bitrates so the footage looks sharp, which means a single minute of 1080p gameplay at 60 fps can easily come out at 100 MB or more. Long voice recordings, high-resolution photo sets, Minecraft worlds and mod packs hit the limit just as quickly.
Zipping does not help much with videos, photos or music: those formats are already compressed, so a ZIP file of a video ends up almost the same size as the video itself.
Option 1: Share a download link instead (fastest, no quality loss)
Instead of attaching the file to a message, upload it somewhere that gives you a link, then paste the link into Discord. Your friends click it and download the original file, untouched. On InvisHosting this works for files up to 300 MB, with no account on either side:
- Go to InvisHosting and choose your file (up to 300 MB).
- If it is a one-off share, tick Temporary upload so the file deletes itself after the time you pick.
- Upload. You get a link straight away, and downloads open as soon as the automatic malware scan has cleared the file, usually within a few minutes.
- Copy the link and paste it into your Discord chat, server channel or DM.
- Save the one-time deletion token you are shown, so you can have the file removed later if you change your mind.
Files that are not temporary stay online until they go 90 days without a download. Script files such as .bat or .sh are not accepted, which keeps the links your friends click a little safer.
Option 2: Compress the video
If the file is a clip that is only a little over the limit, shrinking it may be enough. HandBrake is free and open source, and runs on Windows, macOS and Linux. Load the clip, pick a 720p preset, and lower the quality slider until the estimated size fits.
Trimming does even more than compressing. Cut the clip down to the moment that matters, and a 20-second highlight at 720p will usually fit under 20 MB. The trade-off is quality: text, fast motion and dark scenes are the first to turn blocky.
Option 3: Split the file into parts
For files that are not videos, such as a mod folder or a project archive, 7-Zip can split an archive into pieces of a size you choose (its "Split to volumes" box). Set it just below 20 MB and send the parts one by one.
It works, but it is clumsy: your friend needs every single part, plus 7-Zip or a similar tool, to put the file back together. If one part is missing, the whole archive is useless.
Option 4: Pay for Nitro
If you send large files to Discord every day, Nitro raises your limit to 500 MB, and Nitro Basic to 50 MB. For the occasional big clip or mod pack, a free download link does the same job without a subscription.
Which option should you use?
If the file is under 20 MB, just drag it into Discord. If a clip is slightly over, trim or compress it. For anything bigger, or anything where quality matters, such as full-length gameplay, a mod pack or a world download, upload it and share the link. For more methods, including cloud storage and peer-to-peer transfers, see our guide on how to share large files for free.
Is it safe to click file links on Discord?
Discord is one of the most common places for malware to spread, usually through messages like "free Nitro" or "can you test my game?", often sent from a friend's hacked account. Only open files you were expecting, and check them before you run anything. Our guide How to Check if a File Is Safe Before You Open It walks through it in a minute.
Every file uploaded to InvisHosting is scanned with VirusTotal before anyone can download it, flagged files are blocked, and each file page has a "Report this file" button. You can read exactly how that works in How We Defend Against Malware Uploads.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Discord file size limit for free users?
20 MB per file, since August 14, 2026. Before that it was 10 MB.
Can I send a 100 MB video on Discord without Nitro?
Not as an attachment. Either compress it below 20 MB, or upload it to a file host such as InvisHosting and paste the download link into the chat.
Do my friends need an account to download the file?
No. Anyone with the link can download it from InvisHosting, and you do not need an account to upload either.
Will the video lose quality if I share a link?
No. A download link gives your friends the original file, byte for byte. Only compressing changes the quality.
Ready to send that clip? Upload it on InvisHosting: free, up to 300 MB, no account needed.