Send large files with Gmail

Q: How do I send a file larger than 25 MB with Gmail?

Create a TransferNow transfer (up to 5 GB for free) and paste the link into your email — or install our Chrome extension, which handles everything from Gmail, link insertion included.

Q: Can a recipient without Gmail download the files?

Yes: the link works in any browser, whatever email service the recipient uses, with no sign-up.

Q: Why can a single photo get stuck in Gmail?

A 45 MP RAW file weighs 45.4 MB (Canon EOS R5 manual), almost double the official 25 MB limit (Google support) — and attachment encoding adds roughly another third on top of the actual weight.

Gmail caps attachments at 25 MB. TransferNow sends up to 5 GB for free: paste the link into your email — or install our Chrome extension, which inserts the link right from Gmail.

Transfer now See the guide

Gmail limit: 25 MB
Up to 5 GB free
Chrome extension

Average rating after at least one transfer:

4.8763,165 votes

4.9 / 5 on Trustpilot and Google (20k+ reviews)

Average rating after at least one transfer:

4.8750,000 votes

4.9 / 5 on Trustpilot and Google (20k+ reviews)

The problem

What Gmail really accepts — and what it does with your files

The official limit is 25 MB per message, encoding included: in practice, your attachments should stay under ~18 MB of actual data. Beyond that, Gmail automatically moves the file to Google Drive — eating into your shared 15 GB quota (Gmail + Drive + Photos) and adding access permissions to manage.

And the same problem mirrors itself on arrival: the recipient’s inbox can reject a heavy message that yours was happy to send. A download link removes both constraints at once.

Outlook attachment20 MB
Gmail attachment25 MB
TransferNow — free, no sign-up5 GB
TransferNow — with an account500 GB

Logarithmic scale — the exact values are what counts.

The solutions

Three ways to send a large file through Gmail

Attachment, automatic Drive upload or transfer link: here is what each option really involves.

Comparison of sending methods: maximum size, quality and recipient experience.
Method	Max size	Quality	For the recipient
TransferNow link in the emailRecommended	5 GB free · 500 GB with an account	Files intact	One click, no account
Gmail attachment	25 MB (≈ 18 MB actual)	Intact	May be rejected on the recipient’s side
Automatic Google Drive upload	Depends on quota (15 GB shared)	Intact	Permissions to manage, Google account required

The link in the email: simple, no surprises

Create the transfer, paste the link: your email weighs a few kilobytes and always gets through. With our Chrome extension, the link is even inserted directly into the message you are writing.

The attachment: for small files only

Under 15 MB of actual data, the attachment is still the simplest option. Beyond that, you are gambling on encoding overhead and the recipient’s limits.

The automatic Drive upload: convenient, but not neutral

Gmail offers it on its own — while consuming your Google quota and sometimes forcing the recipient to request access. For a one-off transfer outside your organization, a transfer link avoids that friction.

Guide

How to send large files with Gmail?

1
Install the Chrome extension (or create a transfer)
Our extension adds TransferNow to Gmail; without it, create the transfer on the website and copy the link.
2
Select your files from Gmail
Drag in files or folders — up to 5 GB for free — while you write your message.
3
The link is inserted into your email
Once the upload finishes, the download link is injected into the message. Hit send: you can track every download.

Transfer now See our plans

With TransferNow

Built for your transfers from Gmail

Chrome extension

TransferNow inside Gmail

Our official Chrome extension integrates with Gmail: pick your files, upload and insert the link without leaving your message.

5 GB free

200 times the Gmail limit

The free tier absorbs everything Gmail rejects — without touching your Google quota.

Quota untouched

Your 15 GB of Google storage stays yours

Unlike the automatic Drive upload, the transfer never eats into your shared Gmail + Drive + Photos quota.

Notifications

Better than a read receipt

A notification for every download, per recipient — you know the file was actually retrieved, not just that the email went out.

5 GB free, in equivalents

25 MB: the Gmail limit (≈ 18 MB actual after encoding)
5 GB: per TransferNow transfer, for free
15 GB: your Google quota — untouched
1 click: to insert the link with the Chrome extension

Transfer up to 5 GB for free

Frequently asked questions

How do I send a file larger than 25 MB with Gmail?

Create a TransferNow transfer (up to 5 GB for free) and paste the link into your email — or install our Chrome extension, which handles everything from Gmail, link insertion included.

Why does Gmail reject my 20 MB attachment?

Encoding adds roughly a third to the weight: 20 MB of actual data takes up ~27 MB in the message, over the 25 MB limit.

How is this different from the automatic Google Drive upload?

Drive consumes your Google quota (15 GB shared) and may force the recipient to request access. The TransferNow link is independent of your Google account and downloads without any account.

Can a recipient without Gmail download the files?

Yes: the link works in any browser, whatever email service the recipient uses, with no sign-up.

Why can a single photo get stuck in Gmail?

A 45 MP RAW file weighs 45.4 MB (Canon EOS R5 manual), almost double the official 25 MB limit (Google support) — and attachment encoding adds roughly another third on top of the actual weight.