What's the Deal with Yahoo's Attachment Size Limit?
Yahoo Mail lets you send attachments of up to 25 MB each, and that includes the total size of all attachments plus the email text itself.
If your message blows past that limit, Yahoo won't send it – even if your attached file is just a teeny bit over 25 MB.
Important facts to know:
- Max attachment size: 25 MB total
- Multiple attachments: Allowed, but the total size must stay under 25 MB
- Yahoo Mail Plus users: Same 25 MB limit, but with more inbox space
What's the Max Size for a Yahoo Mail Attachment in 2024?
The attachment limit hasn't changed – it's still 25 MB.
However, the overall mailbox storage limit has changed. Yahoo free accounts come with a whopping 20 GB of storage space. Once you hit that limit, Yahoo won't accept new mail or attachments until you clear some space or upgrade to Yahoo Mail Plus.
You can check your storage usage by going to Settings > More Settings > Storage.
How to Send Files Larger Than 25 MB in Yahoo Mail
If your file is too big for Yahoo Mail's limit, there are some easy workarounds.
1. Use Cloud Storage Links
Upload your file to Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive, then copy the shareable link into your Yahoo Mail message. The recipient just clicks to download – no attachment problems, no size issues.
Yahoo used to have built-in Dropbox integration, but now you'll need to paste the link manually.
2. Compress Your File
If the file is only a bit too large, try compressing it into a .zip file. Most computers have this option in the right-click menu.
For example, a 30 MB PDF might shrink down to 22 MB when zipped – no problem.
3. Split Large Files
Tools like 7-Zip or WinRAR can chop a large file into smaller parts (say, four 10 MB chunks). Then, you can send each one separately in Yahoo Mail.
4. Use a File-Transfer Service
When dealing with massive files, email attachments just won't cut it. Instead, try services like WeTransfer, which can send files of several GB. Upload the file, copy the download link, and paste it into your Yahoo Mail message.
How to Attach Multiple Files in Yahoo Mail
Just click the paperclip icon when composing a message and select your files – Yahoo lets you add as many as you like, as long as the total size doesn't exceed 25 MB.
If you go over the limit, Yahoo will warn you that your message can't be sent until you remove or resize attachments.
Finding the Largest Attachments in Yahoo Mail
Finding which emails are hogging your space can be a bit of a pain. Yahoo doesn't have a "sort by size" option. But you can still narrow it down:
- Type "has:attachment" in the search bar to find all emails with attachments.
- Look for large file types like .zip, .mp4, or .pptx.
- Check your Sent folder – it often contains big attachments you forgot about.
📚 You can read more here: How I Cleared My Yahoo Mail Inbox After The 2025 Storage Cut
What Happens When Your Yahoo Mail Storage is Full?
When your storage is full, new messages and attachments can't be delivered – they'll bounce back to the sender. You also won't be able to send emails until you clear out some space or delete some old ones.
To fix it, delete older or larger emails, especially those with attachments, or use Clean Email to automate the cleanup.
Checking Yahoo Mail Capacity
To check how much space you've used:
- Open Yahoo Mail in your browser.
- Click the Settings ⚙️ icon > More Settings > Storage.
- You'll see how much space you've used (e.g., "15 GB of 20 GB used"). If you’re getting close to the max, start clearing out smaller or large attachments before Yahoo cuts you off.
Does Archiving Free Up Space?
Archiving can help, but only if those emails actually get deleted off Yahoo's servers. Just moving them to a different folder in your inbox won't clear any space – they're still going to count towards your quota.
If freeing up space is the goal, try deleting those big attachments instead of archiving them. Clean Email makes this a lot easier with their Cleaning Suggestions – they identify emails that are eating up the most space and let you trash them in bulk without a hassle. Try it for free.
How to Get Around Yahoo's 4gb File Limit
You can't send a 4gb file straight from Yahoo Mail, and neither can Gmail or Outlook. But there is a workaround:
- Upload the file to a cloud storage service (like Dropbox, Google Drive, or FileWhopper).
- Get a shareable link to that file.
- Paste that link into your Yahoo Mail message.
And that's it. No more limits, no errors.
What About Yahoo Mail Plus?
Yahoo Mail Plus is a paid upgrade that gives you more storage and makes your inbox ad-free, but it also leaves the 25MB attachment limit intact.
If you tend to hit your mailbox storage pretty often, it might be worth looking into, but for sending big files you'll still need to use a workaround like cloud sharing.
Final Thoughts
Yahoo Mail's attachment limit can seem a bit harsh, but once you know the game, it's pretty easy just follow these simple rules:
- Keep your attachments under 25 MB
- Use cloud links or file-transfer services for large files
- Keep on top of your inbox – before those storage full errors start creeping in
And if cleanup is a chore, Clean Email can handle it for you – the app will automatically find and delete large unwanted emails, keeping your inbox tidy and fast.
