What is the maximum BSON document size in MongoDB?

The maximum BSON document size in MongoDB is indeed 16 MB. BSON, which stands for Binary JSON, is the data format used by MongoDB to represent documents. Each document, which is equivalent to what other databases may refer to as a row or record, has a maximum size limit established primarily to enhance performance and manageability.

A document size limit of 16 MB ensures that data can be processed quickly and efficiently, while also allowing for substantial data storage within a single document. This size is particularly advantageous because it allows arrays and nested documents to store a variety of data structures without exceeding the limit.

Understanding this limit is essential for developers working with MongoDB, as exceeding it could result in application errors and could require rethinking how data is structured and accessed within the database, such as by breaking large documents into smaller, more manageable pieces.