Gmail File Size Limits
Attachment limits and email restrictions
Sending Attachments
Total size per email
Receiving Email
Including all attachments
Via Google Drive
Shared as link
Gmail Detailed Limits
| Feature | Free Gmail | Google Workspace |
|---|---|---|
| Sending attachments | 25 MB total | 25 MB total |
| Receiving attachments | 50 MB total | 50 MB total |
| Google Drive links | 10 GB (Drive storage) | Up to 5 TB |
| Storage space | 15 GB (shared) | 30 GB - 5 TB |
| Recipients per message | 500 (To+Cc+Bcc) | 2000 external, unlimited internal |
| Daily send limit | 500 emails/day | 2000 emails/day |
| Email size (HTML) | 102 KB | 102 KB |
| Blocked file types | .exe, .bat, .cmd, .com, .jar, .msc, .vb, .vbs, .zip with exe | |
Automatic Google Drive Integration
How It Works
When you attach files larger than 25 MB, Gmail automatically:
- Uploads the file to Google Drive
- Creates a shareable link
- Inserts the link in your email
- Sets permissions for recipients
Drive Link Permissions
- Anyone with link: No sign-in required
- Restricted: Only specified recipients
- Expiring links: Set expiration dates
- View only: Default setting
- Edit access: Must be granted manually
Blocked File Types
🚫 Always Blocked
- .exe (executables)
- .bat, .cmd (batch files)
- .com (command files)
- .jar (Java archives)
- .msc (Microsoft console)
- .vb, .vbs (Visual Basic)
⚠️ Blocked in Archives
- ZIP containing .exe
- RAR with executables
- Password-protected ZIPs
- Encrypted archives
- Multi-part archives
✅ Workarounds
- Rename extension (.exe → .ex_)
- Use Google Drive links
- Use cloud storage services
- Create .txt with download link
- Use file transfer services
Gmail Attachment Tips
📎 Multiple Attachments
The 25 MB limit is for ALL attachments combined:
- 5 files × 5 MB each = 25 MB ✅
- 1 file × 20 MB + 1 × 10 MB = 30 MB ❌
- 25 files × 1 MB each = 25 MB ✅
🗜️ Compression Works
Gmail doesn't compress attachments, so:
- ZIP files before attaching
- Use image compression tools
- Convert to efficient formats
- Reduce PDF quality settings
📊 Email Size Calculation
Total email size includes:
- Attachments (biggest part)
- Email body HTML/text
- Embedded images
- Email headers (~1-2 KB)
- MIME encoding overhead (~37%)
Sending Large Files
Cloud Storage Services
| Google Drive | 15 GB free |
| Dropbox | 2 GB free |
| OneDrive | 5 GB free |
| iCloud | 5 GB free |
| Box | 10 GB free |
File Transfer Services
| WeTransfer | 2 GB free |
| Send Anywhere | 10 GB free |
| Firefox Send | 2.5 GB free |
| Filemail | 5 GB free |
| pCloud Transfer | 5 GB free |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can I receive 50MB but only send 25MB?
Gmail's receiving servers can handle larger files, but sending is limited to prevent server overload and abuse. The 25MB outgoing limit is standard across most email providers to ensure reliable delivery.
Do embedded images count toward the attachment limit?
Yes, inline/embedded images count toward the 25MB total. Each embedded image is encoded as an attachment. To save space, use linked images hosted online instead of embedding them.
Why is my 20MB file failing to send?
Email encoding (MIME/Base64) adds ~37% overhead. A 20MB file becomes ~27MB when encoded for email. Always aim for files under 18MB to safely stay within the 25MB limit.
Can I increase Gmail's attachment limit?
No, the 25MB limit cannot be increased, even with Google Workspace. However, the automatic Google Drive integration effectively allows sending files up to 10GB (or your Drive storage limit).
What happens to Drive links when I delete the file?
Recipients lose access immediately when you delete the file from Drive or remove their permissions. The email link becomes broken. Always keep shared files until recipients confirm download.