Gmail Limit on Attachment Size
Gmail has a limit of 25MB (megabytes). This means you cannot send a file or multiple files in one email that are larger than their size limit.
You may want to send large files for many reasons. Whatever your reason may be, receiving an error message that stops you from quickly sending an email can be frustrating.
Luckily, Gmail has an easy solution to this problem, and it won’t take you too long to set up!
A file greater than the recommended size will be created into a Google Drive link. The recipients of your email can then click this link and download the file.
You can create and send Google Drive links whether you are on your mobile or using the web version of Gmail.
If you don't want to use Google Drive, there are other ways to send attachments greater than the Gmail attachment size limit.
Keep reading to find out which solution would work best for you and start sending large files with ease!
How To Send Large Files Through Gmail
Gmail has a maximum file size limit of 25MB when sending attachments. This applies to a single file or multiple files.
First, let’s look at how to send files via Gmail on different devices. If you have email accounts in different mail service providers, check out how to send large files via email in the most popular ones.
How to Send Files Via the Web
To send an attachment using the web version of Gmail, follow these steps.
- Open Gmail on your computer.
- Click compose (the + button at the top corner).
- At the bottom, you will see a paperclip icon. Click this to attach your desired files.
- Choose the files you want to send.
- Open them.
- Finish composing your email and press send!
The attachments will show at the bottom of the composed email. If you want to delete them, click the ‘x’ at the end.
You can also add an image to your message by dragging it into the email body.
How to Send Files on Android
The file size limit when sending an email using an Android device is 20MB.
Follow the steps to send attachments using an Android device.
- Open the Gmail app on your device.
- Click compose an email.
- Tap the paperclip icon at the bottom to attach files.
- Choose to attach a file or insert from Drive.
- Choose the files you wish to send.
The files you selected will show at the bottom of the composed email. To delete, click the ‘x’.
Download a file manager from Google Drive if you are trying to send a ZIP file, a ZIP file will be compressed, and more likely to send if it’s a large file.
How to Send Files on iPhone
The file size limit when sending an email on iPhone is 25MB. Follow the steps below to add an attachment to an email using an iPhone.
- Open the Gmail app on your mobile.
- Click to compose an email.
- Click the paperclip icon to insert attachments.
- Select files, to choose a file sent to you, click ‘recent attachments’.
- Open attachments.
- Finish composing the email, and press send.
If you are sending an image, it will show within the email body in the text field.
To convert the image to an attachment, tap the image and choose ‘send as an attachment.’ To delete any added attachments, click the ‘x’.
Want to get more Gmail tips and tricks? Check out our posts about how to recall an email in Gmail and how to download Gmail emails to PC.
Sending Large Files Through Gmail With Google Drive
Now you know how to add attachments to your emails, it’s time to learn how to send large attachments with Google Drive.
Google Drive is a cloud service that allows you to upload files and documents to share them within your team or to send links via email.
To save time, if you know a file is going to exceed the Gmail max attachment size, upload it to Google Drive.
- Begin composing an email in Gmail.
- Click the triangle shape (the Google Drive icon) to insert files.
- Upload a file to Google Drive if you haven’t already or attach a file within the Drive.
- To upload a file to Google Drive, drag and drop a highlighted file into the window, or click ‘select files from your device’.
- Make sure the Drive link button is selected. This converts the file to a downloadable link for the recipient.
- Choose upload.
- Grant access to the file link and send it again.
💡 Note: Be sure to grant access to the file link, otherwise, the recipients will not be able to edit the documents.
Learn more about how to email a Google document.
How to Send Large Files Via Gmail Without Google Drive
Using Google Drive is the easiest way to send large files.
However, if you don’t want to use Drive, you can do the following.
- Send files across multiple emails. This method is time-consuming but does work! Simply send as many emails as you need until the recipient has all the files or a complete file.
- Install a large file sharing service. You may find a free service, however, most come at a cost. A sharing service will allow you to use a larger attachment size, your workplace may already use one.
How to Increase Attachment Size in Gmail
You cannot change the Gmail attachment size limit; however, you can compress your files to make them smaller.
This gives you more chance of being able to send your files via email.
- Highlight the files you want to send.
- Right-click.
- Choose ‘send to’ within the list.
- Next, choose ‘compressed zipped folder’.
This will turn your files into a ZIP folder.
Doing this reduces the functional size of your attachments, meaning you can hopefully send them via email without any problems.
However, if your files are still too large, you will have to send them via G Drive.
Creating a compressed file may reduce the quality of any images included. So, if you’re sending professional photos, this isn’t the option for you.
Use Clean Email To Simplify Email Management
Clean Email cannot help with the sending of messages or attachments as it is not an email client, but it can help you create a clean and organised mailbox!
With a better-managed email account, you will find yourself having more time to complete the important tasks on your to-do list. You will also be able to locate the emails you need easier and relieve the stress of a never-ending list of notifications.
Some features you will find helpful are:
1. Smart Views
This feature organises your emails into smart bundles such as “Social Media” or “Larger than 1MB”. You can easily find the emails you’re looking for and organise folders one at a time.
Messages with larger attachments can be easily found using Smart Views. So, if you need to re-download an important document or file, you can quickly find your message within the corresponding view.
2. Auto Clean
The Auto Clean feature enables you to set automated tasks to get rid of the hassle of manually performing lengthy email organisation tasks.
For example, you can automatically set certain emails to move into your archived or trash folder. You can always edit or remove any Auto Clean rules within the sidebar.
You will be prompted to create an Auto Clean rule when acting on multiple emails.
3. Unsubscriber
This tool quickly allows you to remove any unwanted subscriptions or mailing lists. Simply click the unsubscriber view to see all your subscriptions.
You can choose one of the three options with just a click of a button.
- Read Later sends all emails into a separate folder, meaning your inbox won’t be clogged up.
- Unsubscribe removes you from the mailing list.
- Choose Keep if you want to continue to see new emails in your inbox from this sender.
Wondering how to increase email productivity? Check out these guides on how to customize Gmail, how to move emails from promotions to primary, and how the Gmail snooze feature works.
Gmail Attachment Size Limit - FAQs
What is the file size limit for Gmail?
The file size limit for Gmail is 25MB.
How do I send a file larger than 25MB in Gmail?
To send a file larger than 25MB in Gmail use Google Drive to convert the attachment into a downloadable file.
How can I send a 100MB file through Gmail?
To send a 100MB file through Gmail you will have to use Google Drive or try sending the file in separate emails.
How do I attach large files to Gmail?
To attach large files in Gmail, click the Google Drive icon when composing an email. Then select files and upload.
