Hotmail attachment size limit

Check if your file is small enough to send from a Hotmail address before you attach it.

1Choose the file to send

Pick the PDF, image, or video you want to email. The size check is free.

Waiting for file

Email size result

Files: Not selected
Total size: 0 MB
Email service: Most email services
Safe email target: Safe target: 20 MB
Compression needed: Choose a file and we will show this.

Your result will appear here after you choose a file.

Optional

Sending to work or school?

You do not normally need this. If you are sending to a work, school, or company address, paste it here and we will check the mail service when we can.

Receiver email or website name (optional)

You can leave this empty. It is only here if you want to check a work, school, or company email address.

Optional Devenia help

Rather have us make the smaller copy?

The check and advice above are free. You can try the changes yourself, or ask Devenia to make a smaller copy for you.

Devenia makes the smaller copy: $2.99

Your email for the download link

We use this to send the finished file and receipt.

How large can a Hotmail attachment be?

Hotmail addresses now use Outlook.com. For Outlook.com, Microsoft lists a 25 MB size limit for an email. That limit applies to the message as a whole, so the text and all attached files count together.

If your file is close to 25 MB, it may still be safer to make it smaller before sending. Email systems can add overhead, and the person receiving the message may also have a smaller limit on their side.

What happens if the file is too large?

Outlook.com may block the attachment or ask you to use OneDrive instead. Microsoft says OneDrive links do not count toward the Outlook.com email size limit, and the linked file limit is 2 GB.

A OneDrive link can work, but it is not the same as sending a normal attachment. The recipient opens a shared file link, and permissions may matter. If you need the file to arrive as a regular attachment, reduce the file size first.

Best target size for Hotmail

Under 20 MB is a practical target for normal Hotmail and Outlook.com attachments.
Under 10 MB is better when the recipient uses an older or stricter mail system.
For photos, JPG usually makes a smaller email attachment than PNG.
For PDFs, remove unnecessary images or make a compressed copy before attaching.
For video, a normal email attachment is often the wrong format unless the clip is very short.

How to send a large file from Hotmail

Check the file size before you attach it.
If it is over 20-25 MB, make a smaller copy or use a share link.
Open the smaller copy and make sure the important details are still clear.
Attach the smaller file to your Hotmail message.
If Outlook.com still refuses it, use OneDrive or ask the recipient for another upload method.

When Devenia should handle it

Use the checker on this page to see whether your file is likely to fit. If it is too large, Devenia can make a smaller copy for email while keeping the file usable.

This help is optional. The page should still help you understand the Hotmail limit and choose the right way to send the file.