File Too Large to Email?
You have hit one of the internet's most annoying limitations. Here is why it happens and what to do about it.
Why email has file size limits
Email was invented in the 1970s for sending text messages. File attachments came later as an afterthought, encoded as text (Base64) and crammed into the message format. This encoding actually increases file size by about 33%.
To prevent servers from being overwhelmed, email providers set strict size limits—typically 20-25 MB. These limits have barely changed in 20 years, even as file sizes have exploded with high-resolution photos, 4K video, and complex documents.
Email attachment limits by provider
| Provider | Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gmail | 25 MB | Per attachment and total message size |
| Outlook/Hotmail | 20 MB | Microsoft 365 allows up to 150 MB |
| Yahoo Mail | 25 MB | Per attachment |
| Apple iCloud Mail | 20 MB | Up to 5 GB via Mail Drop |
| ProtonMail | 25 MB | Encrypted attachments count toward limit |
Files that commonly exceed email limits
High-resolution photos
Typical size: 5-25 MB each
A small batch of 5-10 edited photos easily exceeds email limits
Video clips
Typical size: 100+ MB per minute (4K)
Even a 10-second clip can be too large
PDF documents
Typical size: 1-50+ MB
Presentations and catalogs with images get large fast
Design files
Typical size: 10-500+ MB
PSD, AI, and Figma exports are almost never email-friendly
Audio files
Typical size: 5-50+ MB
Uncompressed or lossless audio exceeds limits instantly
ZIP archives
Typical size: Varies widely
Compressing files often is not enough to fit under limits
Solutions for sending large files
Dedicated file sharing (Stash)
Recommended- + No size limits
- + End-to-end encrypted
- + Links never expire
- + No recipient account needed
- − Requires app for uploading
Cloud storage link (Google Drive, Dropbox)
- + Familiar services
- + Easy to use
- − Storage quotas apply
- − Often prompts recipient for account
- − Not end-to-end encrypted
WeTransfer or similar
- + No account needed for small files
- + Easy interface
- − Links expire (7 days free)
- − Size limits on free tier
- − Ads on download page
Compress the file
- + No additional tools needed
- − Quality loss for media
- − Often still too large
- − Time-consuming
Split into multiple emails
- + Uses existing email
- − Tedious for sender and recipient
- − Easy to miss parts
- − Unprofessional
How to send large files with Stash
Open Stash
Download free from App Store
Upload your file
Any size, any type
Copy the link
Encrypted and secure
Paste in email
Recipient clicks to download
Stop fighting email limits
Send any file, any size—encrypted and secure.
Frequently asked questions
What is the maximum email attachment size?
Most email providers limit attachments to 20-25 MB. Gmail and Yahoo allow 25 MB, Outlook allows 20 MB. These limits apply to the total message size, not just individual files.
How do I send a file that is too large?
Use a dedicated file sharing service like Stash. Upload your file, get a link, and send that link via email instead. The recipient clicks the link to download—no account needed.
Is it safe to use file sharing links?
Yes, and often safer than email. Services like Stash use end-to-end encryption, meaning your files are encrypted before upload. Email attachments are typically not encrypted.