---
id: mac-storage-basics.how-do-i-make-a-video-file-smaller-on-a-mac
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-make-a-video-file-smaller-on-a-mac
category: "Mac storage basics"
subcategory: "Photos, music and video"
question: "How can I make a large video file smaller on my Mac?"
alt_questions:
  - "compress video mac"
  - "reduce video file size macbook"
  - "shrink mov file mac"
  - "export smaller video quicktime"
  - "encode video to save space"
short_answer: "Right-click the video in Finder and choose Encode Selected Video Files, or use QuickTime's File → Export As at a lower resolution. Keep the original until you've checked it."
tags: ["video", "compression", "quicktime"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/do-heic-and-hevc-save-space", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/what-takes-up-space-in-video-editing"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# How can I make a large video file smaller on my Mac?

You can re-export it at a smaller size without extra software:

- In **Finder**, right-click the video and choose **Encode Selected Video Files…** (under Quick Actions or Services), then pick a lower resolution or HEVC.
- In **QuickTime Player**, choose **File → Export As** and select a lower resolution.

Re-encoding loses some quality, so keep the original until you've checked the result. For space you need back immediately, moving originals to an external drive avoids any quality loss.