Salesforce allows a maximum file size of 2 GB per file when uploading through Salesforce Files (the modern file storage system). This applies to files attached directly to records via the Files related list. However, the older Attachments feature has a much lower cap of 25 MB per file, so the limit you hit depends on which method your team uses. Below, we unpack every related question about Salesforce file size limits so you know exactly what to expect.
When a file exceeds Salesforce’s size limit, the upload fails and Salesforce displays an error message. The file is not partially saved, no data is written to the record, and the user must either compress the file, split it, or use an external storage solution before trying again. The experience varies slightly depending on whether you are using the UI or the API.
In practice, this means your team hits a hard wall. There is no graceful fallback where Salesforce stores part of the file or queues it for later. The upload simply stops, which can be frustrating in fast-moving environments where people are uploading contracts, media assets, or project files under deadline pressure. The only immediate workarounds are reducing the file size or changing the upload method entirely.
Yes, the file size limit differs significantly between the two. Salesforce Files supports uploads up to 2 GB per file, while the older Attachments feature caps out at 25 MB per file. Salesforce has been phasing out Attachments in favor of Files for years, and this size difference is one of the clearest reasons to make that switch if your org has not already done so.
If your team is still relying on Attachments, you are working with a limit that was set in an era when file sizes were much smaller. Modern contracts, design files, video assets, and detailed project documentation routinely exceed 25 MB. Migrating to Salesforce Files is not just a best practice recommendation, it is a practical necessity for document-intensive teams in 2026.
The Salesforce REST API and SOAP API support file uploads up to 2 GB, which matches the UI limit for Salesforce Files. However, there is an important practical difference: large API uploads require chunked uploads, where the file is broken into smaller segments and sent in pieces. Uploading a file larger than roughly 50 MB in a single API call is not recommended and can result in timeouts.
For teams building integrations or automating bulk file uploads, this means your integration layer needs to handle chunking logic. Direct single-call uploads work fine for smaller files, but anything substantial requires a more deliberate approach. If you are managing a bulk file upload process through automation, building chunking into your workflow from the start saves a lot of troubleshooting later.
Salesforce counts all files stored in Salesforce Files, Attachments, Documents, and Chatter Files toward your org’s file storage limit. This is separate from data storage, which tracks records like contacts, accounts, and opportunities. File storage is measured in total gigabytes allocated to your org, and every uploaded file, regardless of type, draws from that pool.
Here is a breakdown of what contributes to file storage usage:
Profile photos and certain system-generated files do not count toward file storage, but everything your team actively uploads does. Keeping an eye on storage consumption is especially important for organizations that handle high volumes of transactional documents or media assets.
Large files slow down Salesforce record performance because every time a user opens a record, Salesforce loads the associated Files related list, including metadata and previews for attached files. The more files attached to a record, and the larger those files are, the more data Salesforce needs to fetch and render. This creates noticeable lag, especially on records with dozens of attachments.
The performance hit is compounded when users are on slower connections or accessing Salesforce through mobile devices. For operations teams managing high-volume records, like real estate deals with multiple contract versions or retail accounts with stacks of purchase orders, this slowdown adds up quickly across the working day. Keeping records clean and well-organized is not just about tidiness, it directly affects how fast your team can work.
Teams can manage oversized files by using one of three approaches: compressing the file before upload, splitting it into smaller parts, or storing it in an external system and linking it to the Salesforce record. Each approach has trade-offs depending on the file type and how frequently the file needs to be accessed.
Here is a practical decision guide based on common scenarios:
The best way to organize large volumes of files in Salesforce is to establish a consistent folder and naming structure, enforce it through automation, and regularly audit for duplicates and outdated files. Without a deliberate system, file storage becomes cluttered fast, and retrieval efficiency drops just as quickly. A structured approach to document value management turns your file library from a dumping ground into a searchable asset.
Practical habits that make a real difference include tagging files with record type and date at upload, archiving completed project files rather than deleting them, and setting up automated rules that route incoming files to the correct location based on record type or team. The goal is to make sure anyone on your team can find what they need in seconds, not minutes.
Managing file size limits, avoiding storage bloat, and keeping documents organized across a fast-moving team is genuinely hard to do inside standard Salesforce. That is exactly the problem we built Cartularius to solve.
Cartularius is a native Salesforce app that gives your team a structured, intuitive document management layer right inside the platform. Here is what that looks like in practice:
If your team is dealing with scattered files, slow record performance, or constant storage headaches, we can help. Explore our pricing and see how Cartularius fits into your Salesforce environment today.
Install Cartularius now and experience the best Salesforce document management solution and enjoy clean and structured data and optimized processes, risk-free for 30 days.