How to Compress Video Formats: Your Complete Guide

Last updated on November 22nd, 2025 at 04:00 pm

Look, I’ve been there. You have this 5GB of video not wanting to be uploaded anywhere, your phone memory is screaming, you are asking yourself why the hell are video files this large? I wasted too much time trying to work this out, and this is what it takes.

Why Your Videos Are Massive (And What to Do About It)

The thing is as follows–the majority of phones, as well as cameras record in formats that do not pay much attention to file size, but rather quality. It is fine till you look at a progress bar that indicates that you have 3 hours left to upload.

I tried a variety of compression processes, and guesswhat? You do not have to be a technological genius. All you need is the correct tool and five minutes or so.

The Customer Wizard: HandBrake.

Having tried all the shoddily built web converters as well as all complex command-line converters, HandBrake was my favorite. It is no cost and is compatible with both Mac and Windows, not to mention that it does not stiffen your videos with superfluous watermarks.

Here’s how I do it:

Step 1: Download and Install
Take Grab HandBrake their official site. This is not a difficult part to think about.

Step 2: Load Your Video
Drag into acceptable size your huge video file to Open HandBrake. You will get a preview and a collection of settings that will amaze you. Ignore most of them for now.

Step 3: Pick Your Preset
This is where it gets easy. Look at that preset menu right there? For most situations, I use:

• Use Fast 1080p30 in case it is to be uploaded on YouTube or social networking sites.
• “Discord Large 3 Min” when I am sending it to a person (can send longer videos as well but the name is not relevant)

The technicals – codec selection, bitrate, resolution, etc.- are automatically managed by these presets, and you need not have a degree in video engineering.

Step 4: Adjust Quality (Optional)

In case you are picky like me there is a slider that is named quality. I keep it around 22-23. Less numbers imply larger files though of higher quality. Larger scales bring the file deeper but begin to appear crudely at 28 and upwards.

Step 5: Hit Start
Click “Start Encode” and wait. A 10 minutes video normally compresses within a period of 3-5 minutes on my laptop.

What If It Should Come It Even Smaller?

There are also some cases when aggressive compression is required; such as uploading to a host where size is limited.

attempt: Use the preset: Very fast 720p30, as opposed to 1080p. Yes, some resolution will be lost but most of the viewing will not be on mobile phones or tablets and hence it will not be noticed. I have squeezed videos of weddings in this manner and no one ever complained.

Before compressing, you can also cut the redundant footage. Why squeeze 30 seconds of you clattering with the camera at the outset?

Online Tools (When You are Desperate)

In the event that you are unable to install software, web sites such as Clideo come in handy. Enter a video, select level of compression, and download. All you need to know is that it can be vicious uploading large files and that every uploader must always worry about this issue; will this site store my video? paranoia.

I do not make use of them except in quick fixes when I am on another computer.

The Stuff That Matters (Without the Jargon).

You will come across such terminologies as H.264, H.265, and bitrate. Here’s what I learned:

H.264 is the safe bet. All the devices manufactured within the past 15 years are able to play it. When the HandBrake shuts off as this, there is a purpose.

H.265 does smaller files at the same quality, yet it may be an issue with older phones and computers. I pay attention to this in the rare cases when it comes to vital file size, and I am certain my audience has more modern devices.

Bitrate is the simplest way of describing how much amount of data is being consumed by the video in a second. When the bitrate is higher, the quality is higher hence the bigger the files. Preset options in HandBrake do this automatically and that is the reason this program is not something I interfere with anymore.

What I Wish Somebody has told me before.

It is not necessary to compress the same video more than once. Whenever you squeeze, you lose something in it. In case you would like to have other versions (one could be used in Instagram, and the other one could be used in YouTube), you must always begin with your original file.

Also, keep your original. The cost of storing is less than the cost of having to do the same work again since your compressed version appears awful when displayed on a large screen.

Quick Wins

This is what actually made my files not so big and my videos do not seem as old as they are 2005:

• Unless you are a professional, you can stick with 1080p, which is 3 times the file size in 4K.
• Frame rate is not as important as you think. 30fps is good enough with most material. I keep 60fps in the case of games or heavy-action oriented.
• Trim before you compress. Saving 20 seconds of dead air space is more spared as compared to aggressive compression.

The Bottom Line

Video compression does not belong to the mysterious. Install the HandBrake, set up a preset that corresponds to your posting location and you have it. I have already had experience with compressing hundreds of videos like this and it has become routine.

Don’t overthink it. What matters to your viewers is what you have to say rather than what codec you are using either H.264 or H.265.

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