The Confluence attachment size limit in Confluence Cloud is 100 MB per file by default. The admin of your Atlassian license sets the real limit and can change it in General configuration under Attachment settings, entering the new maximum in bytes. Folders can't be attached at all, so zip them first.
Why your upload failed when the help page says 100 MB
If a file bounced and it's under 100 MB, your site probably isn't on the default. Atlassian's support pages say the admin of your Atlassian license specifies the attachment size limit, so a site can be set lower or higher than 100 MB. You can't change it yourself as a normal user. The quickest answer is to ask whoever runs your Confluence site what the current setting is.
The limits at a glance
| Item | Limit | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Default maximum size of one attachment | 100 MB (104857600 bytes) | Confluence Cloud, per file |
| Who sets the limit | Admin of the Atlassian license | Confluence Cloud |
| Unit used in the setting | Bytes | Attachment maximum size field |
| Folders | Can't be attached; zip first | Pages and live docs |
| Files per upload | Multiple files at once | Page or live doc upload |
The limit is per file, not per page. A page can hold several attachments that each sit under the cap, even if together they're well over it.
How an admin changes the limit
- Open Confluence administration and go to Settings.
- Choose Configuration, then General configuration.
- Under Attachment settings, find the Attachment maximum size field.
- Enter the new maximum in bytes and save.
The bytes part catches admins out. The default of 100 MB shows as 104857600 bytes, so typing 200 in that field doesn't give you 200 MB, it gives you 200 bytes. Work out the byte value first, using the default as your reference point.
The default is only a starting point
Atlassian Support's upload page is clear that 100 MB is the default, not a fixed rule. The admin sets the real number, the setting takes bytes, and a site may well be stricter than the default. If you're writing team guidance or onboarding notes, quote your own site's limit rather than the default, or people will keep hitting a wall they weren't warned about.
Folders and file types
You can't attach a folder. Export it to a zip or another compressed format and upload that instead. This also applies to files that are folders behind the scenes, such as ones made by apps like Keynote, so zip those too.
Most file types can be attached, but not all of them can be displayed or embedded on a page or live doc. A file that won't preview still downloads for anyone who opens it.
Uploading and managing files
- Drag a file onto the page, use the Add image, video, or file icon in the toolbar, or type /image. You can upload several files at once.
- Uploading a file with the same name as an existing attachment on that page overwrites it, and Confluence keeps version history for attachments.
- Editing an attached file's name, comment, MIME type, label or parent page needs the Add Attachment permission in the space.
- To see every file in a space, open Space settings, then Attachments, or use the space attachments macro.
The overwrite behaviour is useful. Upload the new version of a policy document with the same name and the page keeps working, with the old versions still in the history.
How Notion handles file sizes
Notion's help page says every uploaded file must be under 5MB on its free plan as of Nov 2026, while higher plans allow files up to 5GB each. If an image is too large to display, you can upload it as a file instead. If you're weighing up a move, my roundup of Confluence alternatives compares the wider options.
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My advice for teams sharing big files
Find out your site's real limit, write it into your team's how-to notes, and zip folders before anyone tries to upload them. For anything routinely bigger than the cap, keep the file in a dedicated storage tool and put a link on the Confluence page. Your pages stay quick to load and nobody waits on a failed upload. If you're still choosing where your team's docs should live, my guide to knowledge base software is a good place to start.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the Confluence attachment size limit?
The default is 100 MB per file in Confluence Cloud, set by the admin of your Atlassian license.
How do I change the Confluence attachment limit?
An admin opens Confluence administration, goes to Settings, Configuration, General configuration, and enters a maximum in bytes in the Attachment maximum size field under Attachment settings.
Can I attach a folder in Confluence?
No. Export the folder to a zip or other compressed format and upload that.
What happens if I upload a file with the same name?
Confluence overwrites the existing attachment on that page and keeps version history.
Can I upload several files at once?
Yes. You can upload multiple files at once by dragging, using the toolbar icon or the /image command.
