Email rejected: message too big

Email isn't really designed to send large files. If your mail bounces back with a message like 552 Message too big or message size exceeds, then the message is too big for one of the mail servers along the way.

How big can a message be at WebOké?

On all WebOké mail servers, a message can be a maximum of 50 MB. That includes the text and all attachments.

An attachment is converted to text when sent (MIME encoding). This makes it about a third bigger. In practice, this means about 36 MB of attachments fit in one message. In webmail, you'll also see that 36 MB limit when you add an attachment.

The recipient counts too

Every message passes through your own mail server and the recipient's. Both need to accept the message. Many other providers have a lower limit, often between 20 and 25 MB. A full mailbox at the recipient's end can also be the reason your mail bounces back.

Sending large files

It's better to share large files with a download link, for example from your Nextcloud. That way, the recipient just gets a link in the email, keeping the message small.

Detailed explanation with screenshots: Sending or receiving isn't working: here's how to fix it in the DirectAdmin guide.

Want to learn more? Take the free course Using webmail, lesson 3.3 Attachments and large files.