How can I send a file over 25MB?

Gmail allows you to send attachments up to 25MB per email.
You can send multiple attachments in an email, as long as they do not add up to 25MB.
If your attachment exceeds the 25MB limit, Google will automatically upload the file to your Google Drive and include a link instead of an attachment.

Gmail, like many email providers, allows you to add attachments to your email. They can be dragged straight from your computer into the body of an email or selected from your Google Drive.

Table of Contents Show

What is the attachment size limit in Gmail?
How to bypass the attachment size limit
The Best Ways to Send Files Over 25mb
1. Compress the File
2. Zip the File
3. Re-Save the File
4. Gmail and Google Drive Links
5. Sending Files Over 25mb that Contain Sensitive Information
Sending Files to China
File Sharing Made Easy
How can I email a file larger than 25MB?
How can I send files larger than 25MB for free?
How can I send 50 MB file?

But also like most email providers, Gmail has a limit to how big those attachments can be. It's a way to stop spammers from flooding your inbox (and Google's servers) with large, useless files.

Here's everything to know about Gmail's attachment limits — including how to get past them.

What is the attachment size limit in Gmail?

Gmail can only handle attachments up to 25MB in size.

Keep in mind any text or images you've put into the message count toward this limit too, meaning that attaching a file that's 25MB exactly will give you an error.

How to bypass the attachment size limit

Gmail's 25MB attachmen size limit is relatively easy to get around.

If you try to attach files larger than 25MB, Google will automatically start uploading the files to your Google Drive account. Once uploaded, it'll place a link to those files in the email. This lets your email's recipient access the files easily.

Large attachments are converted to Drive links. Gmail; William Antonelli/Insider

You can also upload the files to Google Drive beforehand. To do this:

1. Click the Insert files using Drive icon at the bottom toolbar of your Gmail message.

The Google Drive icon is at the bottom of the composition window. Gmail; William Antonelli/Insider

2. Select Upload at the top.

3. Under the Upload tab, drag-and-drop files into the window or click Select files from your device to browse through your computer.

4. If it's not selected already, click Drive link at the bottom of the window. This will convert the attachment into a Google Drive link to embed in your email.

You can upload files by dragging-and-dropping them, or by browsing through your computer's folders. Gmail; William Antonelli/Insider

5. Click Upload to finish attaching the file, then compose your message and click Send.

6. You'll have to grant access to the file link, then click Send again.

Ennica Jacob

Freelance Writer

Ennica Jacob is a multimedia producer and video journalist. In Summer 2019, she interned at the New York Daily News, where she penned two front page stories and covered daily breaking news from court proceedings to social events. In January 2020, she completed a semester in Paris, with an independent study project at CELSA - Université Paris-Sorbonne, a short documentary focused on the evolution of Hip-Hop, and an internship at Society Magazine. She's been freelancing with Insider since December 2020 and is currently a fellow with the Video Reference team.

The Best Ways to Send Files Over 25mb

There are better and easier ways to share large files. Here are some quick tips for sending files over 25mb, without having to put in some overtime.

1. Compress the File

Depending on the source file, compressing a file can sometimes drastically reduce the file size. You can easily compress PDFs using any number of free PDF compressors. A simple search engine check will load the many free applications you can use. There are also compressors available for photos. For most file compressors, you must simply upload the file and, in a short period of time, you will have a compressed output file to save on your desktop.

BEWARE: If you are sending documents with any sensitive, personal, or business information, third-party apps may try to copy your data. We recommend not using consumer-grade applications because it could pose a threat to your confidential data.

2. Zip the File

If you have multiple large files, it may make sense to compress them into a .zip file. To do this, simply right-click on your file or folder, then click “Send To”, then “Compressed Zipped Folder”. A .zip folder will appear in the same location.

This gives you a nice little package of files in a single folder.

3. Re-Save the File

If you are attempting to upload a larger document, such as a PowerPoint, sometimes saving the file in a different format will help decrease the size. Simply click “Save As” in the menu. This is an often-overlooked solution that could be tried first.

PDF is a great example because there are many different presets that determine the end file size. Another great example is with images and videos. They come in many different formats but some have more compression than others. When dealing with images it is best to save them as JPG, PNG, or TIF; other formats will have little-to-no compression. With video, the most popular format for maximum compression is H264. Save time and resave before you go any further.

When dealing with images, the most condensed file versions are .jpg or .png. If you are dealing with graphic design elements (such as Adobe InDesign files) you may try sending them as a picture instead of the raw data. If you have to send the file in its current format, continue reading.

4. Gmail and Google Drive Links

Gmail may have been the source of your headache; however, there is a solution. Gmail does allow sending files over 25mb via Google Drive, which is convenient but not always recommended for even low-security files. This solution is typically automated and will automatically prompt you to use Google Drive.

BEWARE: If you are sending documents with any sensitive, personal or business information, Google Drive is not a secure option. You or your organization won’t have any visibility into what happens to the file. Was it accessed? When was it accessed? How many times was it accessed? What IP address accessed it? Are you sure they have the most updated version of the file? Can you turn off access to the file or password protect it? You need a safer way to send files over 25mb.

While these consumer-grade file sharing platforms are okay when you’re just starting out, as your business scales and grows, the more vital and private data you collect and take responsibility for. To prevent data breaches, keep up with increasing storage needs, and generally maintain control of your company, it’s important to upgrade and move away from using consumer-grade servers as your filing platforms.

5. Sending Files Over 25mb that Contain Sensitive Information

Whether it is your social security number or financial statements for your business, it is best to avoid using online or third-party compressors. You just don’t know what will happen to the file. The third-party might own it upon upload, for instance (that would be buried in those Terms of Agreement that were agreed to but never read).

A simple solution is to use SmartFile. SmartFile is a file management and file sharing tool that provides security for sensitive information without the complications. Not ready to spend money on a permanent solution just yet? Simply create your free trial account here (no credit card required), and then upload your documents. You can then send a link to your file (similar to the procedure for Google Drive sharing in Gmail) through SmartFile’s web portal or through your preferred email account with no hassle. If you use Outlook to access your email, you can even use the Outlook Connector to add a secure file link without ever leaving Outlook.

Sending Files to China

A lot of people have issues sending files to China, explicitly due to what people refer to as “The Great Firewall of China.” While the name references a wonder of the world, those that need to get information in and out of China don’t find it so wonderful.

Many U.S. companies that have their products manufactured in China need to send certain specification files with valuable, intellectual property. With SmartFile, they can simply send a link to view the data and can even set expiration dates for temporary links.

Unlike other high-profile file sharing platforms, like Dropbox and Google Drive, SmartFile is not on the list of websites blocked in China. Instead of impeding your business, you can use our solution to send and receive the important files you need.

If you know the receiver of your file may have to send the same file back, create an upload link in SmartFile. By attaching it to your email signature, your receiver will also be able to send files over 25mb without the same headache, all within your branded portal.

SmartFile’s features are designed for users and engineered for IT. From granular user permissions to activity notifications to unlimited file sizes, we’re here to make your business life easier.

How can I email a file larger than 25MB?

Use Google Drive This is the default option for most people trying to share files that are larger than 25MB. When Gmail detects that your mail is larger than 25MB, it automatically uploads your attachments to Drive and adds a download link to it in your mail.

How can I send files larger than 25MB for free?

Google Drive is a cloud storage service offered by Google that enables you to upload large files to the cloud and share them by email. With a free subscription, you will get access to uploading up to 15GB of files. To start emailing large files through Google Drive, first, you'll need a Google Email.