Discord lets free accounts upload files up to 20 MB each. That limit went up from 10 MB in August 2026, when Discord also doubled the Nitro limit from 500 MB to 1 GB. Nitro Basic sits in the middle at 50 MB. A file over the limit is refused at upload, and Discord suggests Nitro.
Which limit applies to you?
| Account | Per file | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Free | 20 MB | 10 MB from late 2024 to August 2026 |
| Nitro Basic | 50 MB | |
| Nitro | 1 GB | 500 MB before August 2026 |
| Boosted servers | Historically 50 MB (Level 2) and 100 MB (Level 3) | Applies only in that server; check the boost panel |
The limit belongs to the person uploading, not the server, except for boost perks. Discord's File Attachments FAQ also notes that it runs experiments on upload size, so some accounts may see a different figure for a while. Figures checked on 2026-10-14 against Discord's August 2026 announcement; the support page itself blocked automated access that day.
Why does a 4K clip fail?
File size is resolution times bitrate times length. A phone filming 4K at 60 frames per second writes roughly 40 to 60 megabits per second, which is 5 to 7 MB every second. Three seconds fits under the free 20 MB limit; a ten-second clip does not. 1080p at 30 frames per second is closer to 2 MB a second, so you get about ten seconds.
Until 2026 the mobile app compressed videos before checking the size, which let some clips through. Discord now measures the original file before compression on mobile, the same way desktop always has. A clip that uploaded last year may fail today.
How to make a video fit
- Trim it. The clip you want to share is often five seconds of a longer recording.
- Lower the resolution. Export at 720p or 1080p instead of 4K. Most phones and editors offer this on export.
- Re-encode it. A tool like HandBrake with a lower bitrate preset can turn a 60 MB clip into 15 MB with little visible loss on a phone screen.
None of this helps when the original quality matters, for example raw footage for an editor or a print-ready image.
How to share files bigger than the limit
Paste a link instead of uploading. Discord shows the link in the channel and the file never touches its limits.
- Cloud storage link. Google Drive, OneDrive or Dropbox. The recipient may need permission, and the link opens a storage page.
- A transfer link. Brault Transfer uploads the files once and gives you a download link to drop in the channel or a direct message. Recipients do not need an account.
| Plan | Per transfer | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Free | 2 GB (5 transfers a month) | $0 |
| Lite | 50 GB | $4/mo, billed annually |
| Pro | 50 GB, unlimited, plus 100 GB transfers | $12/mo, billed annually |
| Growth | 250 GB | $70/mo, billed annually |
Every plan gets a branded download page, Lite and above can add a password, and Pro and above can set expiry from 7 to 180 days. See plans and limits for every cap.
The same problem shows up at work: Slack takes files up to 1 GB, covered in the Slack file size limit, and email stops at about 25 MB, covered in the email attachment size limit.