# Compress MP4

> Compress MPEG-4 Part 14 (MP4) files online for free. The compressor re-encodes the video at a lower bitrate (and resolution on Strong); audio is re-encoded to AAC. Runs in your browser, so your files never leave your device. Or pick an exact size, like 5 MB or 10 MB.

URL: https://www.converterrr.com/compress-mp4

- Compression: lossy, runs in the browser (nothing is uploaded).
- API: `POST /api/v1/jobs` with `"operation": "compress"` and an optional `compression_level` or `target_size` (paid plans).
- Format: [MP4 converter](https://www.converterrr.com/mp4-converter), [Compress videos](https://www.converterrr.com/compress-videos).

## What compression does to MP4

Re-encodes the video at a lower bitrate (and resolution on Strong); audio is re-encoded to AAC.

- **Light:** Near-lossless: re-encodes conservatively and keeps the full resolution.
- **Balanced (default):** The default: looks the same for most uses, and typically 40–70% smaller.
- **Strong:** Smallest file: lower quality, and large videos are downscaled.

## Common sizes

- [Compress MP4 to 5 MB](https://www.converterrr.com/compress-mp4-to-5mb): Email & form uploads
- [Compress MP4 to 10 MB](https://www.converterrr.com/compress-mp4-to-10mb): 10 MB upload limits
- [Compress MP4 to 25 MB](https://www.converterrr.com/compress-mp4-to-25mb): Email attachments
- [Compress MP4 to 50 MB](https://www.converterrr.com/compress-mp4-to-50mb): Portals & bigger uploads
- [Compress MP4 to 100 MB](https://www.converterrr.com/compress-mp4-to-100mb): Long videos, smaller

## How to compress MP4

1. **Add your MP4 files.** Drag and drop MP4 files onto the compressor, paste them, or click to browse. You can add several at once.
2. **Pick a level or a target.** Balanced is selected and suits most files. Choose Light to stay closer to the original or Strong for the smallest file, or set a target size or a percentage to reduce by.
3. **Compress.** Click Compress. Your MP4 files are processed right in your browser, usually in seconds.
4. **Download.** Download each smaller MP4, or everything at once as a ZIP.

## Good to know

- Phones record video at high bitrates to capture fast motion. Re-encoding at a lower bitrate is where nearly all the savings come from; the audio is re-encoded to AAC.
- Strong also lowers the resolution. A 4K clip rarely needs to be 4K to be watched on a phone or in a chat.
- Need to meet an upload limit? Set a target size (or a percentage to reduce by) in the compressor and the video is compressed to fit.
- MP4 compression runs entirely in your browser with WebAssembly, so nothing is uploaded and your files never leave your device.

## About the MP4 format

MP4 is the most widely supported video container. It usually holds H.264 or H.265 video with AAC audio and plays on every device and platform.

|  | MP4 |
| --- | --- |
| Full name | MPEG-4 Part 14 |
| Type | Video |
| Extensions | .mp4 |
| MIME type | video/mp4 |
| Best for | sharing, streaming and uploading video anywhere |
| Properties | lossy compression, open standard |

## Compress other videos

[Compress MOV](https://www.converterrr.com/compress-mov), [Compress MKV](https://www.converterrr.com/compress-mkv), [Compress WebM](https://www.converterrr.com/compress-webm), [Compress AVI](https://www.converterrr.com/compress-avi)

## Compressing MP4: frequently asked questions

### How do I compress an MP4 file?

Drop the MP4 onto the compressor above, keep Balanced or pick another level, and click Compress. Download the smaller MP4 when it's done; it usually takes a few seconds.

### Does compressing MP4 reduce quality?

A little, by design: MP4 is a lossy format. Balanced is tuned to look the same for most uses; choose Light if you want to stay closer to the original.

### How much smaller will my MP4 get?

Phone recordings often shrink by half or more on Balanced, and screen recordings with little motion even more. Videos that were already compressed for streaming shrink less.

### Can I compress MP4 to a specific size?

Yes. Set a target size in the compressor, or a percentage to reduce by, and the file is compressed to land at or just under it. Common sizes like 5 MB, 10 MB, 25 MB or 50 MB are listed on this page with the target preset.

### Is it safe to compress MP4 files here?

Yes. MP4 files are compressed inside your browser with WebAssembly and never uploaded to a server.

### Is the MP4 compressor free?

Yes. Compression is free with no watermark and no sign-up, within the same daily allowance as conversions.