Discord’s free upload limit is 10 MB per file. Still photos rarely hit it, but screenshots from high-resolution monitors saved as PNG, camera exports and long animated GIFs often do. When they do, Discord refuses the file.
This page sets a custom target of 8000 KB. Most photos and screenshots come out far smaller at full resolution. For animated GIFs, keep the output as GIF and set a max width of about 480 pixels.
How to get an image under Discord’s limit
Drop the file
Photos, screenshots and GIFs work. The format stays the same unless the target forces a change.
For GIFs, set a width
Animated GIFs shrink most when the width drops. 480 pixels looks fine in a chat window.
Download and post
The result card shows the new size. Anything under 10 MB uploads on a free account.
Why files go over the limit
4K screenshots as PNG
A busy 4K PNG screenshot can exceed 10 MB. WebP or JPEG at high quality fixes it with no visible change.
Long GIFs
GIF stores every frame. A 10-second clip can be 30 MB or more until it is resized.
Nitro and server boosts
Nitro subscribers get higher limits, and anyone can view large files that others post. The limit applies to the uploader, so compressing is only needed when you are on the free plan.
Typical fixes
| File | Change |
|---|---|
| Photo | Usually fits as is; target trims it |
| 4K screenshot | WebP or JPEG output |
| Animated GIF | GIF output, 480 px width |
Discord image questions
What is the Discord file size limit without Nitro?
It is 10 MB per file for free accounts. Limits can change, so check Discord’s help page if a file under 10 MB is refused.
How do I compress a GIF for Discord?
Keep the output as GIF and set a max width of 480 pixels. Most GIFs fall well under 10 MB.
Does Discord compress my images?
Discord shows a scaled preview, but the uploaded file is kept. Compressing first only matters for the size limit.
Is my image sent anywhere while compressing?
No. Compression runs in this browser.