Long Files: Limits per Plan and Automatic Splitting
Size and duration limits per plan, how the platform automatically splits huge files, and how duration is measured for billing.
You can upload files up to 5 GB — the platform handles splitting, parallel processing, and merging the result when needed. What changes from plan to plan is the file size and duration cap.
Limits per plan
| Plan | Max size per file | Max duration per file |
|---|---|---|
| Free | 500 MB | 30 min |
| Lite | 1 GB | 60 min |
| Advanced | 2 GB | 120 min |
| Professional / Premium | 5 GB | 240 min |
| Enterprise and hour bundles | 5 GB | 600 min (10 h) |
There is a 10% tolerance (minimum 2 minutes) on the duration limit before blocking — a 31-minute audio still passes on the Free plan.
If the file exceeds the plan's duration, transcription is blocked before spending any cycles, with a message indicating the limit. The solution is to upgrade or split the file.
What each engine handles
- Premium: up to 5 GB and 10 hours per file, no splitting — handles huge files natively.
- Ultra: up to 4 GB and 12 hours per file.
- Standard: long files are internally sliced into 5-minute chunks, processed in sequence, and reassembled — you get a single text with no visible seams.
When server-side splitting is needed, the chunks are processed in parallel (up to 3 at a time) and the result is merged automatically, preserving timestamps.
The duration used for billing is always measured precisely from the file itself — you pay for the actual minutes of audio, regardless of whether the file was split or not.
Uploading large files
Large files are uploaded in parts (multipart upload) with automatic resumption: if the connection drops mid-upload, the upload continues from the last completed chunk instead of starting from scratch. If you try to leave the page while an upload is in progress, the browser warns you.
Upload normally
Drag the file to the upload area. The splitting into parts happens automatically in the background.
Watch the progress bar
Keep the tab open until the upload finishes. If your internet drops, re-upload the same file — it resumes where it left off.
Let the platform handle the rest
After upload, all processing (conversion, splitting, transcription, merging) happens on the server. You can close the tab.
Frequently asked questions
Does a 3-hour file work?
Yes, on Enterprise and hour bundles (up to 10 h per file). On Professional, the per-file cap is 240 minutes — for larger files, split the audio or consider an hour bundle.
Does automatic splitting affect quality or timestamps?
No. The chunks are merged preserving order and timestamps; the result is a single, continuous text.
My upload dropped in the middle — did I lose everything?
No. The multipart upload resumes from the last completed chunk. Just re-upload the same file.
Why was my 800 MB file rejected on the Free plan?
The Free tier cap is 500 MB per file. Compress the audio, split the file, or upgrade (Lite accepts 1 GB).
Related articles
- Processing time
- Choosing the transcription engine
- How transcription works
- Common errors and solutions
Still need help? Open a ticket and our team will assist you.