Enable Large File Uploads in Contact Form 7

Big File Form Uploads removes the file size ceiling from Contact Form 7 file fields automatically. Once the add-on is active, any [file] tag in your forms inherits the maximum upload size you set in Big File Uploads — no shortcode options to edit and no limit: value to calculate by hand.

This guide shows you how to add a large-file upload field to a Contact Form 7 form.

Before You Start

Make sure the following are active:

• Big File Uploads (free parent plugin), with your maximum upload size set under Settings → Big File Uploads → Uploading Files.
• Big File Form Uploads (the add-on).
• Contact Form 7.

If any of these is missing, your file field will fall back to Contact Form 7's default limits.

Step 1: Add a File Field to Your Form

1. Go to Contact → Contact Forms and open the form you want to edit.
2. Place your cursor where the upload field should go.
3. Click the file tag generator in the form editor toolbar.
4. Generate the tag and insert it. You'll end up with something like:

[file your-file]

You do not need to add a limit: option. Big File Form Uploads sets the limit for you based on your Big File Uploads setting — any limit: you add by hand is replaced automatically.

Step 2: Add the Field to Your Mail Template

Open the Mail tab and make sure the file tag is referenced so the uploaded file is attached or linked in the notification email, for example:

[your-file]

Step 3: Save and Test

1. Click Save.
2. Visit the page where the form is embedded.
3. You'll see a "Click to select file" area in place of the standard file button — this is the chunked uploader.
4. Choose a large file and submit the form.

While the file uploads, it is sent to your server in small chunks. The form will not submit until the upload completes, so your submission always includes the full file.

Good to Know

• Where files are stored. Completed uploads are saved to your uploads directory under /cf7_uploads/. Temporary chunks are stored in /cf7_chunks/ during the upload and cleaned up automatically.
• Using Infinite Uploads? The temporary chunk folder is excluded from cloud sync automatically, so partial files are never offloaded.
• The limit is global. The maximum size comes from Big File Uploads and applies to every [file] field across all your Contact Form 7 forms.

Still Need Help?

If your Contact Form 7 form still won't accept large files, see Troubleshooting: My form still won't accept large files, or contact our support team.