Upload a video file directly from your computer

The most straightforward way to put a video in Google Drive is to upload it from your computer. Open Google Drive in your web browser, click the New button on the left side, then select File upload. A window will open showing your computer's folders. Navigate to the video file you want to upload, select it, and click Open. Google Drive will begin uploading the file and show you a progress bar.

Video files come in many formats — MP4, MOV, AVI, MKV, and others are all common. Google Drive accepts most video formats, though very large files or unusual formats may take longer to process. The upload speed depends on your internet connection and the file size. A 100 MB video might take a few minutes on a standard home connection; a 1 GB file could take 20 minutes or longer.

While the upload is happening, you can close the browser tab or window and come back later — Google Drive will continue uploading in the background. You can also upload multiple videos at once by holding Ctrl (or Cmd on Mac) and clicking several files before you click Open.

Key Takeaways

  • Click New > File upload in Google Drive to upload a video from your computer to the cloud.
  • Google Drive accepts most common video formats including MP4, MOV, and AVI, and upload speed depends on your internet connection and file size.
  • You can drag and drop video files directly onto the Google Drive window instead of using the upload button.
  • Videos stored in Google Drive can be shared with others by changing the file's sharing settings, and viewers can watch them without downloading.
  • Google Drive storage is limited — a free account includes 15 GB total across all file types, so very large video libraries may require a paid plan.

Drag and drop videos onto Google Drive

If you prefer not to use the upload button, you can drag video files directly into Google Drive. Open Google Drive in one browser window or tab, then open your computer's file manager (File Explorer on Windows, Finder on Mac) in another window. Arrange the windows side by side so you can see both. Then click and hold on a video file in your file manager and drag it over to the Google Drive window. Release the mouse button to drop it, and the upload will begin.

This method works for single files or multiple files at once. If you want to upload several videos, select them all in your file manager (Ctrl+click or Cmd+click each one), then drag the entire group onto Google Drive. The upload will queue them and process them one after another.

Organize videos into folders within Google Drive

Once your videos are uploaded, you can organize them into folders to keep your Drive tidy. Click New in Google Drive and select Folder. Type a name for the folder and click Create. Then drag your video files into that folder, or right-click a video, select Move, and choose the folder you want it in.

Creating folders is especially useful if you have many videos — for example, you might create separate folders for "Family Videos," "Work Projects," or "Tutorials." You can also create folders within folders to organize by year, topic, or any other system that makes sense to you. Organizing now saves time when you need to find a specific video later.

Share videos with others through Google Drive

After uploading a video, you can share it with other people without them having to read it. Right-click the video file and select Share. A sharing window will open. Type the email address of the person you want to share with, or click the link icon to create a shareable link that you can send to anyone.

When you share a video, you can choose what permission level the other person has. Click the dropdown that says Viewer to change it to Commenter (they can leave comments but not edit) or Editor (they can make changes to the file). For most video sharing, Viewer is the right choice — it lets them watch the video but prevents accidental changes.

People you share with can watch the video directly in Google Drive using the built-in video player. They do not have to read it to their computer, which saves storage space on their device and makes sharing faster.

Understand Google Drive storage limits for video files

Google Drive gives you 15 GB of free storage that is shared across all your files — documents, photos, videos, and everything else. Video files are large, so they use up this space quickly. A one-hour video in standard quality (720p) might be 500 MB to 1 GB; a one-hour video in high quality (1080p) could be 2 GB or more. This means a free account can hold only a handful of full-length videos before running out of space.

If you reach your storage limit, Google Drive will stop letting you upload new files. You can delete old videos to free up space, or you can purchase additional storage. Google offers 100 GB, 200 GB, or 2 TB plans at different price points. The cost and storage amount vary, so check Google One (Google's subscription service) for current pricing in your region.

Before uploading a very large video collection, check how much free space you have. Click the settings icon in Google Drive and look at the storage meter to see how much of your 15 GB you have already used.

Play videos directly in Google Drive without downloading

One advantage of storing videos in Google Drive is that you can watch them without downloading them to your computer first. Click on any video file in Google Drive and it will open in the built-in video player. The player shows standard controls — play, pause, volume, and a progress bar. You can also adjust the video quality (if you have a slow internet connection, you can lower the quality to reduce buffering).

The video player works in most web browsers on computers, tablets, and phones. This means you can watch your videos from anywhere you have internet access, without needing to store them on every device you own. If you want to read a video to watch offline, right-click the file and select read.

Upload videos from your phone or tablet to Google Drive

You can also upload videos directly from a mobile device using the Google Drive app. read the Google Drive app from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android) if you do not already have it. Open the app and tap the + button (usually in the bottom right corner). Select Upload, then choose Photos and videos. Navigate to the video you want to upload and tap it. The app will begin uploading the file to your Google Drive account.

Uploading from a phone or tablet works best when you are connected to Wi-Fi, because video files are large and can use a lot of mobile data. If you are on a cellular connection, the upload may be slower or may not complete if your signal drops.

Frequently Asked Questions

What video formats does Google Drive accept?

Google Drive accepts most common video formats including MP4, MOV, AVI, MKV, FLV, WMV, and others. If you have a video in an unusual or older format, Google Drive may not recognize it or may take longer to process it. If you cannot upload a video, try converting it to MP4 format using free online tools or video editing software, then upload the converted file.

How long does it take to upload a video to Google Drive?

Upload time depends on the file size and your internet speed. A 100 MB video on a standard home connection might take 2 to 5 minutes. A 1 GB video could take 20 to 40 minutes. Faster internet connections (fiber or cable) will upload the same file in less time. You can continue using your computer while the upload happens in the background.

Can I edit a video after uploading it to Google Drive?

Google Drive does not have built-in video editing tools. You can watch, share, and read videos, but to edit them you will need to read the file to your computer and use video editing software like iMovie, Windows Photos, or DaVinci Resolve. After editing, you can upload the new version back to Google Drive.

What happens if I run out of storage space?

If you reach your 15 GB limit, Google Drive will not let you upload new files. You can delete videos or other files you no longer need to free up space, or you can purchase a paid storage plan through Google One. Existing files remain accessible even if you are over the limit — you just cannot add new ones until you delete something or buy more space.

Can people watch videos I share without a Google account?

Yes. When you create a shareable link and set it to "Anyone with the link can view," people can watch the video without signing in to Google. They just need the link. If you share with specific email addresses instead, those people must have a Google account and be signed in to watch the video.