Quick answer: To send a large DOCX file, upload it to Share Large Video Files (up to 20 GB, no account) and share the download link: the file arrives unchanged. An illustrated Word report is about 30 MB, more than most email providers accept.
What is a DOCX file?
DOCX is the Microsoft Word format used for letters, CVs, manuscripts, reports and theses. It is actually a zip package of XML text plus any images, charts and embedded objects the document contains.
Text alone takes almost no space, even for a whole novel. Word files become large when they contain many full-resolution photos, pasted screenshots, embedded videos or spreadsheets, or embedded fonts. A report with 100 phone photos inserted at full size can easily pass 200 MB.
Extensions: .docx, .doc.
How big are DOCX files?
| File | Typical size |
|---|---|
| A 300-page novel manuscript, text only | about 0.5 to 2 MB |
| A 40-page report with charts and a few images | roughly 2 to 15 MB |
| A site inspection report with 100 inserted phone photos | roughly 100 to 400 MB |
| A document with an embedded video | the size of the video plus the text |
Which apps can send one?
Can you send an illustrated Word report (about 30 MB) as an attachment?
| App | Limit | Fits? |
|---|---|---|
| Gmail | 25 MB per email | No, send a link |
| Outlook.com | 20 to 25 MB per email | No, send a link |
| WhatsApp (document) | 2 GB per file | Yes |
| Telegram | 2 GB per file | Yes |
| Facebook Messenger | 100 MB per file | Yes |
| Discord (free) | 20 MB per file | No, send a link |
| Slack | 1 GB per file | Yes |
| WeTransfer (free) | 3 GB per transfer | Yes |
| Share Large Video Files | 20 GB per transfer | Send the link anywhere |
Limits from our file size limits by app table, checked against each service's help pages.
How to send DOCX files without changing them
- Open Share Large Video Files in any browser and choose Get a link (or Send by email).
- Drop DOCX files on the upload box, or pick a whole folder. Up to 20 GB and 1000 files per transfer.
- Optional: add a password, a download limit or an expiry under More options.
- Copy the link (or show the QR code) and send it by chat or email. The recipient downloads the original file, byte for byte.
Tips for sending DOCX files
- In Word, use Compress Pictures (on the Picture Format tab) to reduce photo sizes before sending a copy.
- Send a PDF alongside if the layout must look exactly the same for the recipient.
- Turn on Track Changes before sending for review, so edits are easy to see.
- Remove personal information and old comments with Word's Document Inspector before sharing externally.
How to open a DOCX file
Microsoft Word on Windows, Mac, iPhone and Android. Mac and iPhone: Pages opens DOCX. Everywhere: Google Docs and LibreOffice Writer (free) open and edit it, and Word for the web is free with a Microsoft account.
On our download page: the recipient can read a Word document in the page before downloading it, without Office installed (shown when the site's document preview is on). The download is your original file, still editable.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my Word document so large?
Almost always because of images inserted at full camera resolution. Word's Compress Pictures option can reduce this greatly.
Will zipping a DOCX make it smaller?
Very little. A DOCX is already a zip package, so compressing it again saves almost nothing.
Can someone without Word open a DOCX file?
Yes. Google Docs, LibreOffice, Pages and Word for the web all open DOCX for free.
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