Compress Video: The Complete Guide
Compress Video reduces the file size of your videos using FFmpeg — the industry-standard video engine — running entirely in your browser. Pick how much to compress, choose a resolution and codec, and download a smaller file that still looks great. Because nothing is uploaded, your videos stay completely private and the tool is free with no signup or watermark.
How to compress a video online
- Drag and drop your video or click to choose a file.
- Choose a compression level — or set a custom CRF for fine control.
- Pick an output format (MP4 or WebM), a resolution, and a codec.
- Click Compress, then download the smaller video when it's ready.
Choosing a codec
- H.264 — the most compatible codec; plays everywhere (MP4).
- H.265 (HEVC) — ~40% smaller than H.264 at similar quality; playback varies by browser/OS (MP4).
- VP9 — excellent compression for the web, used by YouTube (WebM).
- AV1 — the newest, most efficient codec; encoding isn't available in the free in-browser engine yet.
Compression levels explained
- Low — keeps the most quality; smallest size reduction.
- Medium — a balanced default for most videos.
- High — smallest file; best for quick sharing and email.
- Custom — set the CRF value yourself (lower means higher quality and a larger file).
Private and free
Unlike most online compressors, this tool never uploads your video. The FFmpeg engine runs locally via WebAssembly, so your footage stays on your device — perfect for personal videos and confidential work. There are no accounts, no watermarks, and no file quotas beyond what your device's memory allows.