How to set an email size limit in WHM

What is a message size limit?

Every email takes up space, especially when it has pictures or files attached. A message size limit is the biggest email your server will accept. It works like a weight limit on a parcel. A limit stops huge messages from slowing the mail system or filling the disk.

The server uses a program called Exim to send and receive mail. WHM is the control panel that lets you change Exim settings. You need WHM access for this guide.

Steps

1. Log in to WHM.
2. Type Exim Configuration Manager in the search box.
3. Click Exim Configuration Manager.

   

   

4. Click the Basic Editor button.
5. Find the Mail section. Look for Maximum message size. In some versions it is called Max message size.
6. Type the size in megabytes (MB). Example: type 50 for 50 MB.
7. Scroll down and click Save.
8. Wait while Exim restarts. Do not close the page.

Things to know

• The limit counts the whole email, including attachments.
• Attachments grow by about one third when sent, because of the way email encodes files. A 10 MB file may become about 13 MB.
• The limit also depends on other mail servers. If the receiving server has a smaller limit, your large email can still bounce.
• Webmail and email apps may have their own limits as well.

Test it

1. Send an email with a small attachment to yourself.
2. Try one just below your limit.
3. Try one above the limit. It should bounce with an error saying the message is too large.

   

If you need help picking a size, ask Hostvento support using a ticket at https://secure.hostvento.com/submitticket.php.

Quick recap

• The limit is the largest email the server accepts.
• Set it in Exim Configuration Manager, then Basic Editor.
• Write the number in MB and save.

  

• Attachments make emails bigger than the original file.
• Test with a small and a large message.