The Discord file size limit is 20MB for free accounts, 50MB with Nitro Basic and up to 1GB with Nitro, going by Discord's newest wording as of October 2026. Discord's File Attachments FAQ says the free limit went up from 10MB to 20MB in August 2026.
Here's the catch. Discord's own help pages don't agree with each other. Three official pages give two different free limits, 10MB and 20MB, and two different Nitro limits, 500MB and 1GB. The newest statements are the ones in my answer above. On top of that, mobile now checks a file's size before compression, so a clip that used to squeak through on Android may now be refused.
Discord file size limits by plan
| Plan | Limit (newest Discord wording) | Older figure still shown on Discord pages |
|---|---|---|
| Free | 20MB (from August 2026) | 10MB |
| Nitro Basic | 50MB | 50MB |
| Nitro | Up to 1GB | 500MB |
| Server Boost Level 2 | 50MB for all members, in that server | Same |
| Server Boost Level 3 | 100MB for all members, in that server | Same |
Why Discord's pages disagree
The File Attachments FAQ puts the non-Nitro maximum at 20MB and says the free limit rose from 10MB in August 2026. The Nitro article, updated on 29 October 2026, says Nitro Basic is 50MB and Nitro is up to 1GB, but it still says free users stick to files under 10MB.
The Account Caps table is older again. It lists the file sharing limit as 10MB for a free account, 50MB for Basic and 500MB for Nitro, and the Nitro trial article also says 500MB uploads. Set against the newer 20MB and 1GB statements, the 10MB and 500MB figures look out of date. If you want to play it safe, keep free uploads under 10MB and you'll be fine whichever page is right.
What changed in August 2026, and why Android users notice
Discord now checks a file's size before compression on mobile, not after. Its FAQ says that should make desktop and iOS uploads easier, but Android users may hit the limit more often, because the source files on Android phones tend to be larger. So if a video that used to upload from your Android phone now gets refused, that's the likely reason.
How to get a file under the limit
- Check which limit applies to you: your own plan, or the server's limit if it's at Boost Level 2 or 3.
- On mobile, open your Video Uploads quality setting. The Data Saver option uploads faster.
- Turn on Data Saving Mode if you're on mobile data. It lowers quality on cellular.
- Save videos as MP4 with H264, HEVC/H265 or AV1, which Discord supports. JPEG, PDF, MP3 and MOV are supported too.
- Keep the file name to 1,024 characters or fewer, including the extension.
If the file is a screen recording you only need to show once, it's often easier to stream it live. My guide to screen sharing on Discord covers Go Live.
Server upload limits from Boosts
A server can raise the limit for everyone, whatever their own plan. At Boost Level 2, all members can upload 50MB in that server, and at Level 3 it's 100MB. Some servers are also part of an experiment that lets them buy a 250MB limit for 5 Boosts. These limits only apply inside the boosted server, so the same file might upload in one server and fail in another.
What happens to images over the limit
Discord's FAQ says images larger than the limit that you upload directly are shared as a download rather than shown as a preview. Its wording uses 20MB for this. So the image still gets through, but people have to download it to see it.
Other Discord limits worth knowing
| Limit | What Discord's caps table says |
|---|---|
| Message length | 2000 characters free and with Basic, 4000 with Nitro |
| Servers you can join | 100, or 200 with Nitro |
| Friends | 1000 |
| Users in a DM | 10 |
| DMs in the sidebar | 100 |
| Blocked users | 5,000 |
For more on the server count and what happens when you hit it, see my guide to the Discord server limit. You can also add alt text to an image before sending, using Modify attachment, which helps anyone using a screen reader.
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My verdict
Trust the newest figures, 20MB free and up to 1GB with Nitro, but don't be surprised if a help page or an older guide says 10MB or 500MB. If you share big files with the same group all the time, boosting that server to Level 2 or 3 helps everyone in it, which beats each person upgrading on their own.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Discord file size limit for free users?
Discord's File Attachments FAQ says 20MB, up from 10MB in August 2026. Some older Discord pages still show 10MB.
What is the Discord file size limit with Nitro?
Discord's Nitro article says up to 1GB with Nitro and 50MB with Nitro Basic. Some older pages still show 500MB for Nitro.
Why can't I upload a video from my Android phone any more?
Discord now checks file size before compression on mobile. Android source files are often larger, so they may hit the limit more often.
How do I upload bigger files to a Discord server?
A server at Boost Level 2 lets all members upload 50MB in that server, and Level 3 allows 100MB.
What video formats does Discord support?
MP4 encoded with H264, HEVC/H265 or AV1, plus MOV. Discord also lists JPEG, PDF and MP3 among supported files.
