> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.chief.bot/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# File size limits & processing stages

> The maximum size for a single file is 100MB.

## How big can a file be

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/chief-2d405d1a/BBGD1uH7sfT84ugx/images/help/library-file-size.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=BBGD1uH7sfT84ugx&q=85&s=b857d76b739cb3a0d4db8d0863f41466" alt="Chief: File size and processing — a file's size on its card" width="480" height="224" data-path="images/help/library-file-size.png" />
</Frame>

The maximum size for a single file is **100MB**. If a file is larger, the upload is rejected and Chief shows a "file size exceeds the maximum" message naming the file. Split or compress oversized files and try again.

## What happens after you upload

[Uploading](/help/your-knowledge-library/uploading-files-supported-file-types) is only the first step. After your file arrives, Chief works through several stages to make it usable. You can follow these in the upload panel or on the [file's detail view](/help/your-knowledge-library/viewing-asset-details-file-processing-status).

1. **Queued for upload** — the file is lined up to be sent.
2. **Uploaded. In queue for processing** — the file has arrived and is waiting its turn.
3. **Processing your file so you can chat with it** — Chief is reading and understanding the contents.
4. **Ready for simple chats with just this file** — you can already [chat with this one file](/help/your-knowledge-library/chatting-with-one-file-vs-many-files-together) while deeper indexing finishes.
5. **Ready for complex chats with this file alongside all your knowledge** — the file is fully ready and can be used together with [the rest of your Library](/help/your-knowledge-library/how-chief-uses-your-files-to-answer-questions).

<Note>
  ℹ️ **Good to Know:** A file becomes usable in a single-file chat before it is fully indexed. The final "ready alongside all your knowledge" stage is what lets Chief combine it with your other files.
</Note>

**Related articles:** [Uploading files and supported file types](/help/your-knowledge-library/uploading-files-supported-file-types) · [Viewing asset details and file processing status](/help/your-knowledge-library/viewing-asset-details-file-processing-status) · [How Chief processes spreadsheets](/help/how-chief-works-magic-under-the-hood/how-chief-processes-spreadsheets)

## FAQ

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="My upload was rejected for being too large. What is the limit?">
    The maximum is 100MB per file. Compress or split the file and upload again.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="A file is stuck in processing. What should I do?">
    Large or complex files take longer. If it never reaches a ready state and shows an error instead, open the file to see the reason — see [My file won't process or isn't ready](/help/troubleshooting/my-file-wont-process-or-isnt-ready). If it ran out of credits to process, top up and try again.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>