A whatsapp status video can be up to 30 seconds long. Whatsapp allows users to upload videos up to 16MB in size and 30 seconds in length for their status updates.
What are WhatsApp Statuses?
WhatsApp status is a feature that allows users to share text, photos, videos and GIFs that disappear after 24 hours. It is similar to the “Stories” feature on other social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat.
Statuses are displayed at the top of the chat window in WhatsApp and tapping on someone’s status allows you to view it. Only your contacts can view your WhatsApp status updates.
The status feature allows users to provide ephemeral updates without clogging up the chat interface. It gives a quick way to let your contacts know what you are currently doing without having a permanent post.
Video Format and Size Limitations for WhatsApp Statuses
While photos can be uploaded in their original quality, WhatsApp compresses videos to fit within a file size limit of 16MB. So the length of video you can upload will depend on its original size and resolution.
Higher resolution or bitrate videos will be compressed more by WhatsApp to fit under the 16MB cap. Lower resolution videos can be longer in duration while still meeting the file size limit.
In terms of dimensions, WhatsApp recommends using videos in MP4 format that are in a 9:16 to 3:4 aspect ratio for best compatibility across devices.
Regardless of the file size, WhatsApp also enforces a hard limit of 30 seconds for any video uploaded as a status. So the maximum length your video can be is 30 seconds, even if it is under 16MB in size.
Optimizing Video Length for WhatsApp Status
When creating a video for your WhatsApp status, aim to keep it under 30 seconds long. Shorter videos typically 10-15 seconds long tend to be more popular and better engaging on social media.
Attention spans are short on mobile and most users will not watch a 30 second video in full. You want to convey your update and keep viewers interested within the first few seconds.
If you do need longer videos for status, try splitting them into a series of 10-15 second segments. You can upload them consecutively so your contacts can view the full video by tapping through.
Tips for Shooting WhatsApp Status Videos
- Frame shots in portrait orientation to fill the status view
- Move the camera around for dynamic effects
- Shoot outdoors for better lighting
- Use props and be creative
- Add text overlays to highlight key moments
Editing WhatsApp Status Videos
You can edit your video in apps like Inshot, Adobe Premiere Rush, iMovie, Kinemaster, etc before uploading to WhatsApp. Features like trimming, filters, effects, text and transitions can help make your status stand out.
When exporting your edited video, choose a lower resolution and smaller size like 720P to avoid WhatsApp compression. This will help maintain quality after the 16MB limit is applied.
Uploading Videos to WhatsApp Status
Uploading a video as your status update is easy within WhatsApp:
- Open WhatsApp and tap on the Status tab
- Tap on the camera icon and select Video to record a new clip
- You can also tap on Gallery to upload an existing video from your phone
- Edit the video with text, emojis or drawing tools if desired
- Tap Send to update your status with the video
The video will now appear in your status for 24 hours for all your WhatsApp contacts to view and reply to.
Viewing WhatsApp Status Videos
To view videos shared to someone’s WhatsApp status:
- Open the WhatsApp chat with the contact
- Tap on their profile picture at the top to open their status tab
- Swipe through the statuses and tap on any video thumbnail to view it
- Reply privately to the status or react using emojis
- Videos will disappear after 24 hours as new statuses are shared
Sharing WhatsApp Status Videos
If you want to share a status video posted by one of your contacts, there are two ways to do so:
- From their status screen, tap the forward arrow icon to share the video to chats or your own status
- Take a screenshot while viewing the video, then share the screenshot
Note that downloading or recording other people’s status videos directly is not possible. WhatsApp intentionally limits this to make statuses temporary.
Why Status Videos Are Limited to 30 Seconds
There are several reasons why WhatsApp chose to limit status videos to just 30 seconds:
- Faster load times – Shorter videos take less time to upload and view
- Reduced server storage – Billions of 30 second videos take up less space than longer ones
- Quick social sharing – 30 seconds is ideal for ephemeral updates
- Higher completion rates – People more likely to watch short videos fully
The 30 second cap makes statuses easily consumable while also ensuring the feature doesn’t get bloated. Users are meant to share quick everyday moments that give a snapshot into what they are doing.
Statuses were never intended as a full video publishing platform. Tools like YouTube serve that purpose better. WhatsApp chose to optimize statuses for fast, casual sharing of temporary moments.
WhatsApp Video Call Length Limit
Unlike statuses, WhatsApp does not enforce a hard limit on the length of video calls made using the app. However, there are practical limitations:
- Mobile data speeds can impact video quality on longer calls
- Smartphone batteries drain faster on video calls than regular voice calls
- No built-in call recording – need third party apps to save video calls
WhatsApp uses your phone’s internet connection for video calls so available bandwidth will determine the maximum usable call duration. On WiFi users can sustain hour long calls if needed.
Conclusion
To summarize, WhatsApp status videos are limited to 30 seconds and 16MB in size. This ensures quick loading and sharing of ephemeral updates between contacts. For longer videos, use other platforms designed for more permanent video publishing and streaming.