Google Form file upload limit reached: how to raise it
Updated 2026-10-17. Every fact links to its source; prices are as published on each vendor's page on that date.
Short answer: Google Forms has three upload limits. Each question caps the size of each file (1 MB to 10 GB) and the number of files (1, 5 or 10). The whole form caps the total size of all uploads at 1 GB by default, and when that total is reached the form stops accepting answers (freeCodeCamp). The fix is free: raise the total to 10 GB, 100 GB or 1 TB, and make sure the owner's Drive has room.
Which limit did you hit?
| What you see | Limit | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| The form suddenly stops accepting responses after many uploads | The form's total cap, 1 GB by default (freeCodeCamp) | Click Change next to “This form can accept up to 1 GB of files” and pick 10 GB, 100 GB or 1 TB (groovyPost) |
| A respondent's file is refused as too large | Max file size per question: 1 MB, 10 MB, 100 MB, 1 GB or 10 GB (freeCodeCamp) | Raise the question's maximum file size; 10 GB is the ceiling |
| A respondent can't add another file | Max number of files per question: 1, 5 or 10 (freeCodeCamp) | Raise it to 10, or add a second File upload question |
| The file type is refused | The owner can restrict file types (Google) | Allow the type in the question settings, or tell respondents which types to use |
| Uploads fail even below every cap | Files go to the owner's Drive (Google); free accounts share up to 15 GB across Gmail, Drive and Photos (Google One Help) | Free up space or add storage. See “Server rejected” upload error |
Size the limits before you open the form
Multiply respondents by files per person by typical file size, then add a margin. 200 entries of 3 photos at 8 MB is about 4.8 GB, so the default 1 GB total would close the form after roughly 40 entries. Our free upload limits calculator does this math and checks it against your free Drive space.
Test it like a respondent
- Open the form link in a private window and upload your largest expected file from a phone.
- Check the file arrives in the form's upload folder in your Drive.
- If a Google sign-in screen appears first, every respondent without a Google account is blocked; check any form with the sign-in checker.
When the limit isn't the real problem
If you can raise the cap and have the Drive space, stay in Google Forms; it's free. The one thing no setting changes is sign-in: respondents must sign in to a Google Account to upload (Google). If that is what's costing you entries, you can ask for a shared link instead (free, but you download each file by hand), use a Dropbox File Request (no Dropbox account needed), or put a CatchFolder upload link in your form description. CatchFolder runs in your own Google account and drops files into a Drive folder you choose, with no sign-in for uploaders. Be aware it takes files up to 50 MB each, so it isn't the fix for very large video files. $12 one-time covers a 30-day form (up to 500 uploads), or $59 for a year of unlimited links.
Related
- Google Forms file upload limits calculator
- Google Form file upload not working: causes and fixes
- Google Forms "server rejected" upload error
- Google Form file upload without sign-in
FAQ
What does it mean when a Google Form reaches its file upload limit?
Every form with a File upload question has a total size cap for all uploaded files: 1 GB by default, which the owner can raise to 10 GB, 100 GB or 1 TB. Once the cap is reached the form stops accepting answers (freeCodeCamp, groovyPost).
How do I raise the file upload limit on my Google Form?
Open the File upload question and click Change next to “This form can accept up to 1 GB of files”, then pick 10 GB, 100 GB or 1 TB (groovyPost, freeCodeCamp). Then open the form signed out to confirm it accepts responses again.
What is the biggest file a respondent can upload?
The per-file options are 1 MB, 10 MB, 100 MB, 1 GB and 10 GB, set per question (freeCodeCamp, groovyPost). Nothing larger than 10 GB is possible in Google Forms.
Can a respondent upload more than 10 files?
Not to one question: the maximum number of files is 1, 5 or 10 (freeCodeCamp). Add a second File upload question if you need more.
I raised the limit and uploads still fail. What else could it be?
Uploaded files are stored in the owner's Google Drive (Google), and a free Google Account has up to 15 GB shared across Gmail, Drive and Photos (Google One Help), so a full Drive can still block uploads. Respondents also have to be signed in to a Google Account to upload (Google).