PHP upload filesize limit

When WordPress says "The uploaded file exceeds the upload_max_filesize directive in php.ini", or a form upload silently fails, you have hit PHP's upload limit. Two PHP settings control it, and on shared hosting a web server layer in front of PHP has its own ceiling too. This guide gives the default limits we measured on Domain India hosting, shows how to check the value your site really gets, and how to change it safely.

1. The two settings that matter

If post_max_size is smaller than the file, PHP drops the whole request. The form arrives empty and many applications show no error at all, which is why an upload can "do nothing" without a message.

2. Default limits on Domain India hosting

We read these values from our servers on 23 September 2026.

On cPanel, raising PHP above 256M does not let browsers upload bigger files. The front end that sits in front of the web server rejects a larger request before PHP sees it, usually with a "413 Request Entity Too Large" error. Files bigger than that belong on FTP (section 7).

3. Check the limit your site really gets

A setting in a file is only a request; the value PHP actually uses can differ. Check it before and after any change.

• WordPress: open Tools › Site Health › Info › Server. It lists the upload maximum, PHP post maximum size and PHP memory limit. The Media › Add New screen also shows "Maximum upload file size".
• Any PHP site: create a file with a hard-to-guess name, such as limits-8c2e.php, in the folder your site runs from:

<?php
echo 'upload_max_filesize: ', ini_get('upload_max_filesize'), "\n";
echo 'post_max_size: ', ini_get('post_max_size'), "\n";
echo 'PHP version: ', PHP_VERSION;

Open it in your browser, note the values, then delete the file. phpinfo() is disabled on our cPanel servers, so a phpinfo page won't help. On cPanel, a cache in front of the web server can show an old copy for a while; add ?t=1 to the address when you check again after a change.

4. Change it in cPanel: MultiPHP INI Editor

The editor writes the setting in the format our PHP handler understands, which is why it is the first choice. If a setting isn't offered or won't change, use a .user.ini file (section 5) or open a ticket with the domain and the value you need.

On DirectAdmin and Webuzo, the PHP settings screens haven't been checked for this guide, so we don't name a menu. Use a .user.ini file, or ask support to set the value.

5. The .user.ini file

A .user.ini file in your site's folder applies PHP settings to that folder and its subfolders. It works with the way PHP runs on our shared servers. Create it with the File Manager in the folder your site runs from, usually public_html, and add one line per setting:

upload_max_filesize = 128M
post_max_size = 128M

PHP caches these files, so a change can take up to 5 minutes to apply. If the value doesn't change, look for another php.ini or .user.ini in the same folder or a parent folder that overrides it, and check that you changed the PHP version your site actually uses (see how to change your PHP version). The server can still lock a value, in which case support can help.

6. Why the old .htaccess method breaks your site

Older guides, including an earlier version of this one, told you to add these lines to .htaccess:

php_value upload_max_filesize 128M
php_value post_max_size 128M

7. Bigger than 256 MB? Don't upload it through the browser

A browser upload of several hundred megabytes is fragile: one network drop and it starts again from zero. And on cPanel, anything over 256 MB can't pass the front end at all. Better routes:

• FTP with TLS on port 21, which is limited only by your free disk space. See how to use SSL/TLS encryption in FTP clients.
• SSH, if jailed SSH has been enabled for your account (it is off by default; ask support). You log in with an SSH key and can copy files with scp or SFTP.
• For WordPress, upload the file by FTP into wp-content/uploads, then register it in the Media Library with a media import plugin.

For a large database, phpMyAdmin on cPanel imports files up to 50 MB; compress the dump or ask support. The File Manager's own limits are explained in the maximum file size you can upload via the cPanel File Manager.

8. Keep the other limits in step

A bigger upload also needs time and memory to process:

• Time. An upload that takes longer than max_input_time is cut off. On a slow connection, a 200 MB file can take several minutes.
• Memory. Plugins that process uploads, such as image resizers or importers, may need more memory_limit. See resolving PHP memory errors for safe values.
• Disk space. An upload can't be bigger than the space left on your plan.

Raise values only as far as you need. A very high limit doesn't make uploads faster; it only lets a broken or abusive script use more of your account's resources.

9. Where Domain India hosting fits

Domain India's cPanel plans already allow 256 MB uploads by default, which covers WordPress themes, plugins, most media and typical backups. If you work with large files regularly, more disk space helps more than a higher PHP limit:

The card shows the Domain India list price on 19 September 2026, excluding 18% GST. If you need limits beyond what shared hosting allows, a VPS lets you set any value. Support is on 24/7 live chat, and tickets get a first response within 15 minutes.

10. Frequently asked questions

Ready to change your limits? Sign in to your control panel from My Hosting in the client area, or compare cPanel hosting plans and DirectAdmin hosting plans.