Convert Video to Small Size Without Losing Quality: 6 Easy Methods

Transferring and sharing large-size videos over platforms takes a lot of work. In such situations, you need to convert video to small size using professional tools. 

To decrease video size, you can change different parameters of the file like video resolution, video bitrate, video codec, frame rate, and cutting unwanted parts. 

In the following parts, we will discuss effective methods to reduce video size online quickly and easily!

How to convert large video file into small size?

What Affects Video File Size?

A number of factors, including resolution, bitrate, video length, frame rate, encoding, and more, determine the size of a video. The following are a few of the most important.

• Resolution: It is determined by the video's pixels and is one of the most important factors in deciding file size. The greater the resolution, the larger the file size will be, and the better the quality will be.

• Bitrate: A bitrate is a measurement of how much data is transmitted in a second, and it's usually expressed in Mbps or kbps. If the bitrate is increased, more data must be delivered, resulting in a bigger file size. 

• Video length: In comparison to a short film, a lengthier video will be greater in size.

What affects video file size?

• Frame rate: When you lower the frame rate, the file size shrinks correspondingly. A video is typically shot at 30fps (frames per second), so halving the frame rate will result in halves the file size.

In addition, audio sample rate, rendering quality, buffer size, and other related elements also influence the video file size.

► Read more: How to insert video into PowerPoint?

How to Convert Video to Small Size?

Large files may be difficult to work with or display on some devices. Discover how to convert large size video into small size while retaining its quality and dimensions.

Use a video compressor tool

Below are 3 free video compressor tools that will help you convert video to smaller size. They are easy to use and come with outstanding features:

VLC (Windows, Mac, Linux)

As one of the most popular media-viewing and -editing apps around, it’s no surprise that VLC is a great choice for making video files smaller.

VLC

• Download VLC to your computer

• Click Media > Convert/Save (Or by using the cmd+shift+S keyboard shortcut)

• Select Add and choose the video to convert video to small size

• Click Convert/Save and then select the type of conversion that you want.

Because VLC doesn't show estimated file sizes, you'll have to guess which conversion level to choose. VLC, thankfully, includes recommendations for different types of videos.

Wondershare UniConverter

You can convert video to small size without losing quality using professional software such as Wondershare UniConverter. This feature-packed video toolbox supports over 1000 video formats and allows reducing the size of video files easily and quickly.

Wondershare UniConverter

Also, it allows you to select the video resolution, bit rate, size, and format, as well as minimize the video size to meet your demands. 

The Preview capabilities let you see the modifications that will be applied to the file, which aids in video compression on Windows and Mac.

Freemake Video Converter

This free desktop software integrates with the Windows operating system to allow for video resizing, video conversion, video download, and a variety of other functions.

It can process over 500 different formats, including all of the most common ones like MP4, AVI, WMV, MKV, 3GP, and others.

Freemake Video Converter

The program allows clipping and trimming unneeded parts, lowering the size, and modifying the file settings to reduce the size of the additional videos. The app will enable you to add files from internet streaming sources in addition to local ones.

Cut the video

If you have a long video with numerous sections, one of the simplest methods to minimize video file size is to trim it! Simply cut the video into sections and export them individually. 

Each file should be far less in size than previously!

Trim the video if necessary

If length isn't the issue, consider the number of effects and animations you employed! Color effects are known to have significant effects on total file size. Consider deleting unneeded impacts to reduce the total file size!

Change the resolution

If you plan to upload the video to YouTube and the original clip's resolution exceeds 1080p, you may significantly convert video into smaller file by decreasing the resolution to 1920x1080 pixels.

However, if you're posting a video to social media or a site where it will mostly be seen on mobile devices, you may reduce the resolution even further. 

While most mobile devices can show very high-resolution images and videos, the screens are still small. Hence, the diminished quality of a low-resolution video will be less obvious. 

Change the video resolution

For social media, a 720p resolution (1280x720 pixels) may be suitable. Square videos function as well. A 1920x1080 video file may be readily reduced in size by cropping it to a square 1080x1080 pixels.

Convert the video format

There are various types of video formats, and some use more space than others. For example, an MP4 file often takes up less space than an AVI or MOV file. You can conserve space by storing or converting your video file to another one.

Remember that MP4 is a lossy file format, whereas AVI and MOV are lossless. So, if you want high-quality video, be sure that MP4 will look crisp on your intended device.

Luckily, many tools can help you convert video files to MP4, like Vidconverteronline, VLC media player, etc.

Lower the bitrate

Lower the video bitrate

Lowering the bitrate is a simple approach to convert video to smaller files without cutting your video or affecting the size of the image. Despite that, it may only be the most intuitive method if you know what bitrate is best for your video resolution. 

Generally, social media platforms often limit the size of video uploads, so 5 Mbps is large, even for 1080p recordings.

Put your file in a zipped file

Once you've done editing your video using all of these optimized settings, all that remains is to create a zipped folder for the video file!

Zipped folders on both Mac and Windows employ lossless compression. Thus, you don't have to worry about losing quality on your last take. 

You may upload zipped files to Google Drive, send them via email, and effortlessly share them between operating systems. 

Put your file in a zipped file

Why Convert Video to Small Size?

Compressing a video decreases file size, making it simpler to share video content. If you're uploading a YouTube video to your channel, a compressed video will take far less time to upload.

In addition, smaller video files are easier to share via email. If you're sending a screen-recorded video to your team, for instance, the file size must be less than 20 MB for Microsoft Outlook or 25 MB for Gmail. 

Reasons to convert video to a smaller size

Besides, compressing a video file before attaching it to an email allows you to send it as an attachment without the need to upload it to a separate (and usually more expensive) video hosting service.