Most email services can send files up to 20MB without any problems, but if you need to send a larger file, be aware that many email servers will refuse to accept email attachments over a certain size.
What is Email Size?
The size of an email is not just about the length of the text. It also includes attachments, graphics, and HTML code. Graphics and HTML code also contribute to this size. For example, a simple table or link can add significantly to the size and can also cause delivery issues.
For example, multiple attachments can best practices for data security cause issues during delivery due to the large amount of data that needs to be processed. They can take longer to be sent and can potentially cause server-side queuing issues. Some providers may even reject overly large emails due to their own technical limitations.
Why Is There a Maximum Size for Emails?
Some of the reasons why emails have a maximum size limit include:
1. Performance
Email systems cannot transfer large the ability to establish long amounts of data at once. This is because the functionality of email systems is based on the relatively old SMTP protocol. Most email systems are not capable of processing multiple data sources simultaneously. The large size of emails has a direct impact on performance.
2. Storage limitations
All emails you send and receive are stored on servers. Servers also have a storage limit. This is another reason why email providers impose a maximum file size limit.
3. Security
Email systems use a limited number text services of ports to receive data, otherwise they are exposed to DDoS attacks that can bring down the entire system.
Types of Email Size Limits
There are numerous restrictions when it comes to the volume of data you can send in email, with some limits being more pronounced than others. If you want to send a file via email, you need to be familiar with these to ensure successful email delivery.
The main types of email size limits include:
1. Email Service Limit
The maximum email size your email service will allow you to send. This limit includes not only the text of your email, but also any email attachments. The maximum size for most email providers is usually between 10 and 25MB.
2. Email Attachment Size Limit
It’s a subset of the email service limit. It refers to the maximum size of a single attachment you can add to your email. This limit is important to keep in mind as it can quickly eat up your overall email size limit.
3. Recipient Email Service Limit
The maximum email size that the recipient’s email service can handle. Even if your email service allows you to send large emails, your email may still be rejected if the recipient’s service has a lower size limit.
Knowing these limits can help you optimize your emails for successful delivery. It’s essential to make sure your email and any attachments don’t exceed these limits to avoid delivery issues.