What this article covers:

What is a File Attachment?

In addition to text messages, users can upload file attachments in Discord to send to others. If you have Nitro, you can upload even bigger files. For non-Nitro subscribers, the maximum file upload is 10MB.

There is a wide variety of file types that can be uploaded to Discord. Here are the most common examples:

JPEG
PDF
MP3
MOV
MP4 (Video encoded with H264, HEVC/H265, or AV1)

How to Attach Files

Tip: If you upload multiple video files, images, or GIFs in one message, they will be sent together and displayed as a mosaic format.

1. Tap on the plus sign [] located in the text field of the text channel, text chat of a voice channel, or group message that you want to send a file attachment in and then tap on Upload a File.

Example of sending a file attachment with text

2. Select the file(s) that you want to attach from your device. You can also write a message to send along with it.

3. Your file(s) and any text that you included will be sent together in one message.

Attachment sent along with text

If you attach non-image files, such as a PDF, DOC, etc. the files will display as embeds in your message and will not provide a preview of the attached file.

Example of sending a non-image file

Tip: If you want to include Spoiler Tags before sending a file to someone, you can learn how to do that in this Help Center article.

File Upload Settings

There are some settings you can enable to prevent or even minimize the attachments you'll see in Discord.

Desktop/Browser

1. Tap on the cogwheel [] in the bottom-left corner of the app.

2. Navigate to the Chat tab.

Chat tab in User Settings on desktop/browser

3. The setting is enabled if there’s a checkmark or a setting is disabled if there’s an x.

Here is how each setting works:

When posted as links to chat: When an image is posted as a link, the image will be displayed instead of the text link.
When uploaded directly to Discord: Any image that is larger than 10MB will be shared as a download instead.
With image descriptions: Used for screen readers to describe any shared image.
Show embeds and preview website links pasted into the chat: Embeds and website links will display a preview, unless disabled.

Chat setting options on desktop/browser

Mobile

1. Tap on your profile image in the bottom-right corner.

2. Press on the cogwheel [] in the top-right corner.

3. Navigate to the Chat tab.

Chat tab in Settings on mobile

4. On this page, you can enable or disable any setting. If enabled, you’ll see a checkmark. If disabled, you’ll see an x.

5. Many desktop/browser settings are also available on mobile, but here are the mobile-only settings:

Save to Device: If you directly send an image or video through your mobile device, the file will be automatically saved to your phone.
Video Uploads: In this section, you can manage the quality of videos you upload through Discord. By selecting the "Data Saver" option, your videos will upload more quickly and consume less data.
Data Saving Mode: If enabled, images and videos will be sent in lower quality through your cellular network to use less data.

Chat settings for mobile

What is NSFW Content Scanning?

"NSFW" or Not Safe For Work (or not suitable for work) is a term to describe inappropriate content that you would not want to look at while in the workplace and is now more widely used to describe content that could be seen as inappropriate for the public.

To help keep users safe, we have both User Settings and Server Settings to scan images for NSFW content. If these settings are enabled and the system detects the image could be NSFW, it will block the upload.

Want to learn more? You can learn more about these settings in our Safer Messaging on Discord Help Center article.

Clyde warning for a blocked message

How to Use Alt Text

Tip: ALT text cannot be added to an image after it has already been uploaded to chat.

ALT text - short for alternative text - is a feature that allows users to write an image description to uploads so that anyone using a screen reader can obtain a description of the image without needing to see the actual image itself.

1. Once you attach the image(s) you want to upload, tap on the Modify attachment option or the pencil icon [] that appears after hovering your cursor over each file.

Modify Attachment option

2. You can change the name of the file and add in the ALT text to describe the image. Press on Save when you’re finished.

Example of applying Alt Text

3. You can now send your image(s) with the alt text you’ve written.

4. If you have the With image descriptions setting enabled and if an image has ALT text, you should see the word ALT on the image. Select ALT and you will then see the ALT text for the image.

Example of what ALT text looks like when applied to an attachment

If an image has ALT text, you'll be able to see it when you have With image descriptions enabled in your Text & Images settings. If you need a visual aid, pressing ALT this will show the text.

Contact Us: If you run into any issues with uploading images and files, or using ALT text, please reach out to Discord Support through this link here: dis.gd/contact