Practical video guide
OBS recording too large? Shrink it after recording
Make a finished OBS or gameplay recording smaller for storage, Discord, Reddit, or upload.
The short answer
OBS recordings can grow to several gigabytes. Clip Squeezer can make a smaller file to send to friends, upload, or keep.
Clip Squeezer creates a new file and leaves your original untouched.
Why this happens
OBS has to capture every moment while you play or record. It often keeps plenty of detail so the recording looks good. For a short upload or a copy for friends, you can usually use less detail and a smaller picture size.
What should I choose?
Trim first
If you only need one moment, remove the rest before making it smaller.
Balanced at 1080p
A sensible first try for full-screen gameplay or tutorials.
720p or Smallest file
Try these for short chat uploads where fitting the limit matters more than tiny detail.
Do it with Clip Squeezer
- 1
Play the recording briefly to make sure it completed correctly.
- 2
Trim it first if you only need one part of a long session.
- 3
Choose Make smaller. Start with Balanced; try 1080p or 720p for a gameplay clip.
- 4
Watch a busy section of the new file before sharing it. Keep the original until you are happy.
Check the new file
Do not judge only by the file size. Watch a busy fight, rapid camera turn, or detailed menu. Those moments reveal compression problems better than a static loading screen.
Common questions
Should I change my OBS settings instead?
For future recordings, perhaps. But changing settings will not fix files you already made, and keeping a good-quality source can be useful before you know how it will be used.
Should I convert MKV to MP4 first?
Only if the destination needs MP4. Making a video smaller already creates a sharing copy, so avoid an extra step unless you have a format problem.
Something went wrong? See Clip Squeezer troubleshooting.
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