A known issue while sending files through email is the limit on the size of the attachments. Usually, email services don’t allow attachments larger than a few MB. On trying to do the same, email servers may give an error stating The attachment size exceeds the allowable limit or The file you’re attaching is bigger that the server allows – Or then the email simply won’t get sent or received.
One way to mitigate this problem is to upload attachments on cloud drives and send the link to the recipient through email. Most cloud servers let you upload files up to 5-15 GB for free, so size shouldn’t be an issue.
Attachment Size Limits for common service providers
We have listed the maximum attachment size limits and sizes for files for the following services:
- Microsoft Outlook
- Outlook.com
- OneDrive
- Microsoft 365
- Gmail
- Google Drive
- Yahoo
- Dropbox
- WhatsApp.
1] Microsoft Outlook
Speaking of the Outlook desktop client (not the email server), the maximum permitted attachment size is 20 MB. This is irrespective of the email server being used. If an email server allows users to send larger attachments, they can send them through its web application but not through the Outlook desktop or mobile client.
In case you are using an Exchange server, the limits might vary. You can modify the attachment size limit for sending files through the Outlook client, but the upper limit cannot exceed what the email server allows.
Read: Fix The attachment size exceeds the allowable limit message on Outlook.
2] Outlook.com
Outlook/Hotmail allows sending files up to a maximum size of 10 MB which is quite less. After this, the user can upload attachments to OneDrive and send the link.
Also read: 0x80040610: The message being sent exceeds the message size.
3] OneDrive
It permits free storage of up to 5 GB and paid storage of up to 50 GB. One advantage of OneDrive is Microsoft support and integrated Microsoft Office Online in its cloud drive.
4] Microsoft 365
Office 365 now supports email messages up to 150 MB.
5] Gmail
The maximum permitted attachment size for Gmail is 25 MB. The cloud drive web application compatible with Gmail is Google Drive.
6] Google Drive
It allows storing up to 15 GB of data for free. Paid plans let you buy up to 10 TB of storage.
7] Yahoo
Yahoo permits attachments up to a size of 25 MB as well. After that, one could use Dropbox links compatible with Yahoo Mail to send attachments larger in size.
8] Dropbox
It provides free storage up to 5 GB, and the rest of the plans can be purchased.
9] Twitter
GIF, JPEG, and PNG Photos can be up to 5MB; animated GIFs can be up to 5MB on mobile, and up to 15MB on web. Video File size should not exceed 15 MB (sync) or 512 MB (async).
10] Facebook
When sending files through Facebook messages, the maximum limit is 25 MB. Any cloud drive link can be shared through Facebook messages, but the user has to be logged on to the cloud drive’s account separately.
For uploading videos on timelines, the maximum limit per file is 1.75 GB and 45 minutes of running time. But a restriction is as follows: A user can upload a file of unlimited bit-rate as far as the size of the file is 1 GB or less. When the size exceeds 1 GB, the bit-rate of the video must be limited to 8 MBPS for a 1080 HD file and 4 MBPS for a 720 HD file.
11] WhatsApp
The attachment size limit for sending files is 16 MB, and it could be increased to 30 MB. This is quite less and it becomes very difficult to share uncompressed videos. One can share cloud drive links, but the links open in the browser and thus the user has to be logged on accordingly.
Whenever sending large files through cloud drives, the receiver needs to be logged in from an account of the same cloud drive brand. Eg. If a user using a Hotmail account sends a OneDrive link to a Gmail user, the recipient may not be able to access the link – depending on your setting.
From time to time, the email service providers or social networking sites may change the size limits, so please do check with your service provider.
Is there any important email, files sharing or any other web service that I have missed? If so, pls do share.
