PHP Configuration: memory_limit, upload_max_filesize and max_execution_time

PHP · 19.04.2026

Where PHP Settings Are Stored

PHP parameters can be set in several places. Priority (highest to lowest): ini_set() in code → .user.ini → .htaccess → php.ini. Changes to php.ini require PHP-FPM reload.

Key PHP Parameters

Parameter	Default	Recommended	Description
`memory_limit`	128M	256–512M	Memory limit per PHP process
`upload_max_filesize`	2M	64–256M	Max uploaded file size
`post_max_size`	8M	upload + 2–10M	Max POST request size
`max_execution_time`	30	60–300	Max script execution time (sec)

Change via php.ini

sudo nano /etc/php/8.2/fpm/php.ini

memory_limit = 512M
upload_max_filesize = 128M
post_max_size = 130M
max_execution_time = 300

post_max_size must exceed upload_max_filesize or large file uploads will fail.

Change via .user.ini (shared hosting)

memory_limit = 256M
upload_max_filesize = 64M
post_max_size = 68M

Apply Changes

sudo systemctl reload php8.2-fpm
php -r "echo ini_get('memory_limit');"