WhatsApp API: Maximum Media Size aur Supported Formats
Guide: WhatsApp API: Maximum Media Size aur Supported Formats
Updated 10 February 2026
When sending images, videos, documents, or audio through the WhatsApp Business API, each file must be within the allowed size limit and in a supported format. Most media upload failures happen because the file is too large or in the wrong format.
Maximum File Sizes
| Media Type | Max Size |
|---|---|
| Images | 5 MB |
| Audio | 16 MB |
| Video | 16 MB |
| Documents | 100 MB |
| Stickers (static) | 100 KB |
| Stickers (animated) | 500 KB |
Supported Formats
Images
| Format | Extension | MIME Type |
|---|---|---|
| JPEG | .jpeg, .jpg | image/jpeg |
| PNG | .png | image/png |
Note: WhatsApp does not support GIF, BMP, TIFF, or SVG. If you need to send a GIF-like animation, convert it to MP4 video.
Audio
| Format | Extension | MIME Type |
|---|---|---|
| AAC | .aac | audio/aac |
| AMR | .amr | audio/amr |
| MP3 | .mp3 | audio/mpeg |
| MP4 Audio | .m4a | audio/mp4 |
| OGG (Opus codec) | .ogg | audio/ogg |
Video
| Format | Extension | MIME Type |
|---|---|---|
| MP4 | .mp4 | video/mp4 |
| 3GPP | .3gp | video/3gp |
Important: Videos must use H.264 video codec and AAC audio codec. Other codecs (like H.265/HEVC) will fail silently — the message sends but the video won't play on the recipient's phone.
Documents
| Format | Extension | MIME Type |
|---|---|---|
| application/pdf | ||
| Microsoft Word | .doc, .docx | application/msword |
| Microsoft Excel | .xls, .xlsx | application/vnd.ms-excel |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | .ppt, .pptx | application/vnd.ms-powerpoint |
| Plain Text | .txt | text/plain |
Stickers
| Format | Extension | MIME Type |
|---|---|---|
| Static sticker | .webp | image/webp |
| Animated sticker | .webp | image/webp |
Common Issues and Fixes
Image not sending — Check if it's under 5 MB. Phone cameras often produce 8-12 MB photos. Resize or compress before sending. Also make sure it's JPEG or PNG — WhatsApp doesn't support HEIC (common on iPhones).
Video won't play on recipient's phone — Most likely a codec issue. Re-encode the video with H.264 video codec and AAC audio codec. Many screen recording tools and newer phones use H.265 by default, which WhatsApp doesn't support.
Document upload fails — Check the file size (100 MB limit) and make sure it's a supported format. Password-protected PDFs and encrypted documents may also fail.
Audio file rejected — OGG files must use the Opus codec specifically. Other OGG codecs (like Vorbis) are not supported.
Sticker too large — Static stickers must be under 100 KB and animated stickers under 500 KB. Both must be in WebP format, exactly 512x512 pixels.
Tips
- All size limits apply to the encrypted file size, which is slightly larger than the original file
- When sending media through templates, the same size and format limits apply
- For the best image quality in messages, use JPEG at around 800x800 pixels
- If you regularly send large documents, consider hosting them and sending a link instead
- Video thumbnails are generated automatically by WhatsApp — you cannot customize them
Related Articles
What is WhatsApp Business API? — Overview of API features and capabilities
Handy Links for WhatsApp Business API Settings — Quick access to WhatsApp Manager and settings