diff --git a/BUILD b/BUILD
index 12f0fd3..7f661e9 100644
--- a/BUILD
+++ b/BUILD
@@ -168,6 +168,7 @@
     "src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.h",
     "src/core/lib/channel/http_client_filter.h",
     "src/core/lib/channel/http_server_filter.h",
+    "src/core/lib/channel/message_size_filter.h",
     "src/core/lib/compression/algorithm_metadata.h",
     "src/core/lib/compression/message_compress.h",
     "src/core/lib/debug/trace.h",
@@ -323,6 +324,7 @@
     "src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.c",
     "src/core/lib/channel/http_client_filter.c",
     "src/core/lib/channel/http_server_filter.c",
+    "src/core/lib/channel/message_size_filter.c",
     "src/core/lib/compression/compression.c",
     "src/core/lib/compression/message_compress.c",
     "src/core/lib/debug/trace.c",
@@ -563,6 +565,7 @@
     "src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.h",
     "src/core/lib/channel/http_client_filter.h",
     "src/core/lib/channel/http_server_filter.h",
+    "src/core/lib/channel/message_size_filter.h",
     "src/core/lib/compression/algorithm_metadata.h",
     "src/core/lib/compression/message_compress.h",
     "src/core/lib/debug/trace.h",
@@ -705,6 +708,7 @@
     "src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.c",
     "src/core/lib/channel/http_client_filter.c",
     "src/core/lib/channel/http_server_filter.c",
+    "src/core/lib/channel/message_size_filter.c",
     "src/core/lib/compression/compression.c",
     "src/core/lib/compression/message_compress.c",
     "src/core/lib/debug/trace.c",
@@ -917,6 +921,7 @@
     "src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.h",
     "src/core/lib/channel/http_client_filter.h",
     "src/core/lib/channel/http_server_filter.h",
+    "src/core/lib/channel/message_size_filter.h",
     "src/core/lib/compression/algorithm_metadata.h",
     "src/core/lib/compression/message_compress.h",
     "src/core/lib/debug/trace.h",
@@ -1049,6 +1054,7 @@
     "src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.c",
     "src/core/lib/channel/http_client_filter.c",
     "src/core/lib/channel/http_server_filter.c",
+    "src/core/lib/channel/message_size_filter.c",
     "src/core/lib/compression/compression.c",
     "src/core/lib/compression/message_compress.c",
     "src/core/lib/debug/trace.c",
@@ -1816,6 +1822,7 @@
     "src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.c",
     "src/core/lib/channel/http_client_filter.c",
     "src/core/lib/channel/http_server_filter.c",
+    "src/core/lib/channel/message_size_filter.c",
     "src/core/lib/compression/compression.c",
     "src/core/lib/compression/message_compress.c",
     "src/core/lib/debug/trace.c",
@@ -2035,6 +2042,7 @@
     "src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.h",
     "src/core/lib/channel/http_client_filter.h",
     "src/core/lib/channel/http_server_filter.h",
+    "src/core/lib/channel/message_size_filter.h",
     "src/core/lib/compression/algorithm_metadata.h",
     "src/core/lib/compression/message_compress.h",
     "src/core/lib/debug/trace.h",
diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index f847c9b..567ec1f 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -299,6 +299,7 @@
   src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.c
   src/core/lib/channel/http_client_filter.c
   src/core/lib/channel/http_server_filter.c
+  src/core/lib/channel/message_size_filter.c
   src/core/lib/compression/compression.c
   src/core/lib/compression/message_compress.c
   src/core/lib/debug/trace.c
@@ -557,6 +558,7 @@
   src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.c
   src/core/lib/channel/http_client_filter.c
   src/core/lib/channel/http_server_filter.c
+  src/core/lib/channel/message_size_filter.c
   src/core/lib/compression/compression.c
   src/core/lib/compression/message_compress.c
   src/core/lib/debug/trace.c
@@ -789,6 +791,7 @@
   src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.c
   src/core/lib/channel/http_client_filter.c
   src/core/lib/channel/http_server_filter.c
+  src/core/lib/channel/message_size_filter.c
   src/core/lib/compression/compression.c
   src/core/lib/compression/message_compress.c
   src/core/lib/debug/trace.c
diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 6b619e3..fdd1bfd 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -2515,6 +2515,7 @@
     src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.c \
     src/core/lib/channel/http_client_filter.c \
     src/core/lib/channel/http_server_filter.c \
+    src/core/lib/channel/message_size_filter.c \
     src/core/lib/compression/compression.c \
     src/core/lib/compression/message_compress.c \
     src/core/lib/debug/trace.c \
@@ -2791,6 +2792,7 @@
     src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.c \
     src/core/lib/channel/http_client_filter.c \
     src/core/lib/channel/http_server_filter.c \
+    src/core/lib/channel/message_size_filter.c \
     src/core/lib/compression/compression.c \
     src/core/lib/compression/message_compress.c \
     src/core/lib/debug/trace.c \
@@ -3057,6 +3059,7 @@
     src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.c \
     src/core/lib/channel/http_client_filter.c \
     src/core/lib/channel/http_server_filter.c \
+    src/core/lib/channel/message_size_filter.c \
     src/core/lib/compression/compression.c \
     src/core/lib/compression/message_compress.c \
     src/core/lib/debug/trace.c \
@@ -3249,6 +3252,7 @@
     src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.c \
     src/core/lib/channel/http_client_filter.c \
     src/core/lib/channel/http_server_filter.c \
+    src/core/lib/channel/message_size_filter.c \
     src/core/lib/compression/compression.c \
     src/core/lib/compression/message_compress.c \
     src/core/lib/debug/trace.c \
diff --git a/binding.gyp b/binding.gyp
index a29cfda..2cb43b0 100644
--- a/binding.gyp
+++ b/binding.gyp
@@ -571,6 +571,7 @@
         'src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.c',
         'src/core/lib/channel/http_client_filter.c',
         'src/core/lib/channel/http_server_filter.c',
+        'src/core/lib/channel/message_size_filter.c',
         'src/core/lib/compression/compression.c',
         'src/core/lib/compression/message_compress.c',
         'src/core/lib/debug/trace.c',
diff --git a/build.yaml b/build.yaml
index 73c6263..a0ff4ec 100644
--- a/build.yaml
+++ b/build.yaml
@@ -163,6 +163,7 @@
   - src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.h
   - src/core/lib/channel/http_client_filter.h
   - src/core/lib/channel/http_server_filter.h
+  - src/core/lib/channel/message_size_filter.h
   - src/core/lib/compression/algorithm_metadata.h
   - src/core/lib/compression/message_compress.h
   - src/core/lib/debug/trace.h
@@ -243,6 +244,7 @@
   - src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.c
   - src/core/lib/channel/http_client_filter.c
   - src/core/lib/channel/http_server_filter.c
+  - src/core/lib/channel/message_size_filter.c
   - src/core/lib/compression/compression.c
   - src/core/lib/compression/message_compress.c
   - src/core/lib/debug/trace.c
diff --git a/config.m4 b/config.m4
index 5b47074..c1b2fd9 100644
--- a/config.m4
+++ b/config.m4
@@ -90,6 +90,7 @@
     src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.c \
     src/core/lib/channel/http_client_filter.c \
     src/core/lib/channel/http_server_filter.c \
+    src/core/lib/channel/message_size_filter.c \
     src/core/lib/compression/compression.c \
     src/core/lib/compression/message_compress.c \
     src/core/lib/debug/trace.c \
diff --git a/gRPC-Core.podspec b/gRPC-Core.podspec
index 02a500f..1046f50 100644
--- a/gRPC-Core.podspec
+++ b/gRPC-Core.podspec
@@ -261,6 +261,7 @@
                       'src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.h',
                       'src/core/lib/channel/http_client_filter.h',
                       'src/core/lib/channel/http_server_filter.h',
+                      'src/core/lib/channel/message_size_filter.h',
                       'src/core/lib/compression/algorithm_metadata.h',
                       'src/core/lib/compression/message_compress.h',
                       'src/core/lib/debug/trace.h',
@@ -420,6 +421,7 @@
                       'src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.c',
                       'src/core/lib/channel/http_client_filter.c',
                       'src/core/lib/channel/http_server_filter.c',
+                      'src/core/lib/channel/message_size_filter.c',
                       'src/core/lib/compression/compression.c',
                       'src/core/lib/compression/message_compress.c',
                       'src/core/lib/debug/trace.c',
@@ -622,6 +624,7 @@
                               'src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.h',
                               'src/core/lib/channel/http_client_filter.h',
                               'src/core/lib/channel/http_server_filter.h',
+                              'src/core/lib/channel/message_size_filter.h',
                               'src/core/lib/compression/algorithm_metadata.h',
                               'src/core/lib/compression/message_compress.h',
                               'src/core/lib/debug/trace.h',
diff --git a/grpc.gemspec b/grpc.gemspec
index 9c82db8..c69988f 100755
--- a/grpc.gemspec
+++ b/grpc.gemspec
@@ -180,6 +180,7 @@
   s.files += %w( src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.h )
   s.files += %w( src/core/lib/channel/http_client_filter.h )
   s.files += %w( src/core/lib/channel/http_server_filter.h )
+  s.files += %w( src/core/lib/channel/message_size_filter.h )
   s.files += %w( src/core/lib/compression/algorithm_metadata.h )
   s.files += %w( src/core/lib/compression/message_compress.h )
   s.files += %w( src/core/lib/debug/trace.h )
@@ -339,6 +340,7 @@
   s.files += %w( src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.c )
   s.files += %w( src/core/lib/channel/http_client_filter.c )
   s.files += %w( src/core/lib/channel/http_server_filter.c )
+  s.files += %w( src/core/lib/channel/message_size_filter.c )
   s.files += %w( src/core/lib/compression/compression.c )
   s.files += %w( src/core/lib/compression/message_compress.c )
   s.files += %w( src/core/lib/debug/trace.c )
diff --git a/include/grpc/impl/codegen/grpc_types.h b/include/grpc/impl/codegen/grpc_types.h
index e5a8288..8b1ba63 100644
--- a/include/grpc/impl/codegen/grpc_types.h
+++ b/include/grpc/impl/codegen/grpc_types.h
@@ -127,7 +127,11 @@
     connection. Int valued. */
 #define GRPC_ARG_MAX_CONCURRENT_STREAMS "grpc.max_concurrent_streams"
 /** Maximum message length that the channel can receive. Int valued, bytes. */
-#define GRPC_ARG_MAX_MESSAGE_LENGTH "grpc.max_message_length"
+#define GRPC_ARG_MAX_RECEIVE_MESSAGE_LENGTH "grpc.max_receive_message_length"
+/** Backward compatibility. */
+#define GRPC_ARG_MAX_MESSAGE_LENGTH GRPC_ARG_MAX_RECEIVE_MESSAGE_LENGTH
+/** Maximum message length that the channel can send. Int valued, bytes. */
+#define GRPC_ARG_MAX_SEND_MESSAGE_LENGTH "grpc.max_send_message_length"
 /** Initial sequence number for http2 transports. Int valued. */
 #define GRPC_ARG_HTTP2_INITIAL_SEQUENCE_NUMBER \
   "grpc.http2.initial_sequence_number"
diff --git a/package.xml b/package.xml
index be8c08d..c2c8e0c 100644
--- a/package.xml
+++ b/package.xml
@@ -188,6 +188,7 @@
     <file baseinstalldir="/" name="src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.h" role="src" />
     <file baseinstalldir="/" name="src/core/lib/channel/http_client_filter.h" role="src" />
     <file baseinstalldir="/" name="src/core/lib/channel/http_server_filter.h" role="src" />
+    <file baseinstalldir="/" name="src/core/lib/channel/message_size_filter.h" role="src" />
     <file baseinstalldir="/" name="src/core/lib/compression/algorithm_metadata.h" role="src" />
     <file baseinstalldir="/" name="src/core/lib/compression/message_compress.h" role="src" />
     <file baseinstalldir="/" name="src/core/lib/debug/trace.h" role="src" />
@@ -347,6 +348,7 @@
     <file baseinstalldir="/" name="src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.c" role="src" />
     <file baseinstalldir="/" name="src/core/lib/channel/http_client_filter.c" role="src" />
     <file baseinstalldir="/" name="src/core/lib/channel/http_server_filter.c" role="src" />
+    <file baseinstalldir="/" name="src/core/lib/channel/message_size_filter.c" role="src" />
     <file baseinstalldir="/" name="src/core/lib/compression/compression.c" role="src" />
     <file baseinstalldir="/" name="src/core/lib/compression/message_compress.c" role="src" />
     <file baseinstalldir="/" name="src/core/lib/debug/trace.c" role="src" />
diff --git a/src/core/lib/channel/message_size_filter.c b/src/core/lib/channel/message_size_filter.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..264c07c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/core/lib/channel/message_size_filter.c
@@ -0,0 +1,175 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2016, Google Inc.
+ * All rights reserved.
+ *
+ * Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+ * modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are
+ * met:
+ *
+ *     * Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
+ * notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+ *     * Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above
+ * copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer
+ * in the documentation and/or other materials provided with the
+ * distribution.
+ *     * Neither the name of Google Inc. nor the names of its
+ * contributors may be used to endorse or promote products derived from
+ * this software without specific prior written permission.
+ *
+ * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS
+ * "AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT
+ * LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR
+ * A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT
+ * OWNER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL,
+ * SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT
+ * LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE,
+ * DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY
+ * THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT
+ * (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE
+ * OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
+ *
+ */
+
+#include "src/core/lib/channel/message_size_filter.h"
+
+#include <string.h>
+
+#include <grpc/support/alloc.h>
+#include <grpc/support/log.h>
+#include <grpc/support/string_util.h>
+
+/* the protobuf library will (by default) start warning at 100megs */
+#define DEFAULT_MAX_MESSAGE_LENGTH (4 * 1024 * 1024)
+
+typedef struct call_data {
+  // Receive closures are chained: we inject this closure as the
+  // recv_message_ready up-call on transport_stream_op, and remember to
+  // call our next_recv_message_ready member after handling it.
+  grpc_closure recv_message_ready;
+  // Used by recv_message_ready.
+  grpc_byte_stream** recv_message;
+  // Original recv_message_ready callback, invoked after our own.
+  grpc_closure* next_recv_message_ready;
+} call_data;
+
+typedef struct channel_data {
+  size_t max_send_size;
+  size_t max_recv_size;
+} channel_data;
+
+// Callback invoked when we receive a message.  Here we check the max
+// receive message size.
+static void recv_message_ready(grpc_exec_ctx* exec_ctx, void* user_data,
+                               grpc_error* error) {
+  grpc_call_element* elem = user_data;
+  call_data* calld = elem->call_data;
+  channel_data* chand = elem->channel_data;
+  if ((*calld->recv_message)->length > chand->max_recv_size) {
+    char* message_string;
+    gpr_asprintf(&message_string, "Received message larger than max (%lu)",
+                 chand->max_recv_size);
+    gpr_slice message = gpr_slice_from_copied_string(message_string);
+    gpr_free(message_string);
+    grpc_call_element_send_cancel_with_message(
+        exec_ctx, elem, GRPC_STATUS_INVALID_ARGUMENT, &message);
+  }
+  // Invoke the next callback.
+  calld->next_recv_message_ready->cb(
+      exec_ctx, calld->next_recv_message_ready->cb_arg, error);
+}
+
+// Start transport op.
+static void start_transport_stream_op(grpc_exec_ctx* exec_ctx,
+                                      grpc_call_element* elem,
+                                      grpc_transport_stream_op* op) {
+  call_data* calld = elem->call_data;
+  channel_data* chand = elem->channel_data;
+  // Check max send message size.
+  if (op->send_message != NULL && chand->max_send_size > 0 &&
+      op->send_message->length > chand->max_send_size) {
+    char* message_string;
+    gpr_asprintf(&message_string, "Sent message larger than max (%lu)",
+                 chand->max_send_size);
+    gpr_slice message = gpr_slice_from_copied_string(message_string);
+    gpr_free(message_string);
+    grpc_call_element_send_cancel_with_message(
+        exec_ctx, elem, GRPC_STATUS_INVALID_ARGUMENT, &message);
+  }
+  // Inject callback for receiving a message.
+  if (op->recv_message_ready != NULL && chand->max_recv_size > 0) {
+    calld->next_recv_message_ready = op->recv_message_ready;
+    calld->recv_message = op->recv_message;
+    op->recv_message_ready = &calld->recv_message_ready;
+  }
+  // Chain to the next filter.
+  grpc_call_next_op(exec_ctx, elem, op);
+}
+
+// Constructor for call_data.
+static grpc_error* init_call_elem(grpc_exec_ctx* exec_ctx,
+                                  grpc_call_element* elem,
+                                  grpc_call_element_args* args) {
+  call_data* calld = elem->call_data;
+  calld->next_recv_message_ready = NULL;
+  grpc_closure_init(&calld->recv_message_ready, recv_message_ready, elem);
+  return GRPC_ERROR_NONE;
+}
+
+// Destructor for call_data.
+static void destroy_call_elem(grpc_exec_ctx* exec_ctx, grpc_call_element* elem,
+                              const grpc_call_final_info* final_info,
+                              void* ignored) {}
+
+// Constructor for channel_data.
+static void init_channel_elem(grpc_exec_ctx* exec_ctx,
+                              grpc_channel_element* elem,
+                              grpc_channel_element_args* args) {
+  GPR_ASSERT(!args->is_last);
+  channel_data* chand = elem->channel_data;
+  memset(chand, 0, sizeof(*chand));
+  for (size_t i = 0; i < args->channel_args->num_args; ++i) {
+    if (strcmp(args->channel_args->args[i].key,
+               GRPC_ARG_MAX_SEND_MESSAGE_LENGTH) == 0) {
+      if (args->channel_args->args[i].type != GRPC_ARG_INTEGER) {
+        gpr_log(GPR_ERROR, "%s ignored: it must be an integer",
+                GRPC_ARG_MAX_SEND_MESSAGE_LENGTH);
+      } else if (args->channel_args->args[i].value.integer < 0) {
+        gpr_log(GPR_ERROR, "%s ignored: it must be >= 0",
+                GRPC_ARG_MAX_SEND_MESSAGE_LENGTH);
+      } else {
+        chand->max_send_size =
+            (size_t)args->channel_args->args[i].value.integer;
+      }
+    }
+    if (strcmp(args->channel_args->args[i].key,
+               GRPC_ARG_MAX_RECEIVE_MESSAGE_LENGTH) == 0) {
+      if (args->channel_args->args[i].type != GRPC_ARG_INTEGER) {
+        gpr_log(GPR_ERROR, "%s ignored: it must be an integer",
+                GRPC_ARG_MAX_RECEIVE_MESSAGE_LENGTH);
+      } else if (args->channel_args->args[i].value.integer < 0) {
+        gpr_log(GPR_ERROR, "%s ignored: it must be >= 0",
+                GRPC_ARG_MAX_RECEIVE_MESSAGE_LENGTH);
+      } else {
+        chand->max_recv_size =
+            (size_t)args->channel_args->args[i].value.integer;
+      }
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+// Destructor for channel_data.
+static void destroy_channel_elem(grpc_exec_ctx* exec_ctx,
+                                 grpc_channel_element* elem) {}
+
+const grpc_channel_filter grpc_message_size_filter = {
+    start_transport_stream_op,
+    grpc_channel_next_op,
+    sizeof(call_data),
+    init_call_elem,
+    grpc_call_stack_ignore_set_pollset_or_pollset_set,
+    destroy_call_elem,
+    sizeof(channel_data),
+    init_channel_elem,
+    destroy_channel_elem,
+    grpc_call_next_get_peer,
+    "message_size"};
diff --git a/src/core/lib/channel/message_size_filter.h b/src/core/lib/channel/message_size_filter.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..367a322
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/core/lib/channel/message_size_filter.h
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2016, Google Inc.
+ * All rights reserved.
+ *
+ * Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+ * modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are
+ * met:
+ *
+ *     * Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
+ * notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+ *     * Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above
+ * copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer
+ * in the documentation and/or other materials provided with the
+ * distribution.
+ *     * Neither the name of Google Inc. nor the names of its
+ * contributors may be used to endorse or promote products derived from
+ * this software without specific prior written permission.
+ *
+ * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS
+ * "AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT
+ * LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR
+ * A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT
+ * OWNER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL,
+ * SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT
+ * LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE,
+ * DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY
+ * THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT
+ * (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE
+ * OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
+ *
+ */
+
+#ifndef GRPC_CORE_LIB_CHANNEL_MESSAGE_SIZE_FILTER_H
+#define GRPC_CORE_LIB_CHANNEL_MESSAGE_SIZE_FILTER_H
+
+#include "src/core/lib/channel/channel_stack.h"
+
+extern const grpc_channel_filter grpc_message_size_filter;
+
+#endif /* GRPC_CORE_LIB_CHANNEL_MESSAGE_SIZE_FILTER_H */
diff --git a/src/core/lib/surface/call.c b/src/core/lib/surface/call.c
index 7726811..6717024 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/surface/call.c
+++ b/src/core/lib/surface/call.c
@@ -1160,17 +1160,6 @@
     if (gpr_unref(&bctl->steps_to_complete)) {
       post_batch_completion(exec_ctx, bctl);
     }
-  } else if (call->receiving_stream->length >
-             grpc_channel_get_max_message_length(call->channel)) {
-    cancel_with_status(exec_ctx, call, GRPC_STATUS_INTERNAL,
-                       "Max message size exceeded");
-    grpc_byte_stream_destroy(exec_ctx, call->receiving_stream);
-    call->receiving_stream = NULL;
-    *call->receiving_buffer = NULL;
-    call->receiving_message = 0;
-    if (gpr_unref(&bctl->steps_to_complete)) {
-      post_batch_completion(exec_ctx, bctl);
-    }
   } else {
     call->test_only_last_message_flags = call->receiving_stream->flags;
     if ((call->receiving_stream->flags & GRPC_WRITE_INTERNAL_COMPRESS) &&
diff --git a/src/core/lib/surface/channel.c b/src/core/lib/surface/channel.c
index 6d2b1c4..0e8e5bb 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/surface/channel.c
+++ b/src/core/lib/surface/channel.c
@@ -64,7 +64,6 @@
 
 struct grpc_channel {
   int is_client;
-  uint32_t max_message_length;
   grpc_compression_options compression_options;
   grpc_mdelem *default_authority;
 
@@ -80,9 +79,6 @@
 #define CHANNEL_FROM_TOP_ELEM(top_elem) \
   CHANNEL_FROM_CHANNEL_STACK(grpc_channel_stack_from_top_element(top_elem))
 
-/* the protobuf library will (by default) start warning at 100megs */
-#define DEFAULT_MAX_MESSAGE_LENGTH (4 * 1024 * 1024)
-
 static void destroy_channel(grpc_exec_ctx *exec_ctx, void *arg,
                             grpc_error *error);
 
@@ -114,21 +110,10 @@
   gpr_mu_init(&channel->registered_call_mu);
   channel->registered_calls = NULL;
 
-  channel->max_message_length = DEFAULT_MAX_MESSAGE_LENGTH;
   grpc_compression_options_init(&channel->compression_options);
   if (args) {
     for (size_t i = 0; i < args->num_args; i++) {
-      if (0 == strcmp(args->args[i].key, GRPC_ARG_MAX_MESSAGE_LENGTH)) {
-        if (args->args[i].type != GRPC_ARG_INTEGER) {
-          gpr_log(GPR_ERROR, "%s ignored: it must be an integer",
-                  GRPC_ARG_MAX_MESSAGE_LENGTH);
-        } else if (args->args[i].value.integer < 0) {
-          gpr_log(GPR_ERROR, "%s ignored: it must be >= 0",
-                  GRPC_ARG_MAX_MESSAGE_LENGTH);
-        } else {
-          channel->max_message_length = (uint32_t)args->args[i].value.integer;
-        }
-      } else if (0 == strcmp(args->args[i].key, GRPC_ARG_DEFAULT_AUTHORITY)) {
+      if (0 == strcmp(args->args[i].key, GRPC_ARG_DEFAULT_AUTHORITY)) {
         if (args->args[i].type != GRPC_ARG_STRING) {
           gpr_log(GPR_ERROR, "%s ignored: it must be a string",
                   GRPC_ARG_DEFAULT_AUTHORITY);
@@ -371,7 +356,3 @@
   return grpc_mdelem_from_metadata_strings(GRPC_MDSTR_GRPC_STATUS,
                                            grpc_mdstr_from_string(tmp));
 }
-
-uint32_t grpc_channel_get_max_message_length(grpc_channel *channel) {
-  return channel->max_message_length;
-}
diff --git a/src/core/lib/surface/channel.h b/src/core/lib/surface/channel.h
index 4c62974..23cc865 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/surface/channel.h
+++ b/src/core/lib/surface/channel.h
@@ -64,7 +64,6 @@
     The returned elem is owned by the caller. */
 grpc_mdelem *grpc_channel_get_reffed_status_elem(grpc_channel *channel,
                                                  int status_code);
-uint32_t grpc_channel_get_max_message_length(grpc_channel *channel);
 
 #ifdef GRPC_STREAM_REFCOUNT_DEBUG
 void grpc_channel_internal_ref(grpc_channel *channel, const char *reason);
diff --git a/src/core/lib/surface/init.c b/src/core/lib/surface/init.c
index 5397913..1f2769f 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/surface/init.c
+++ b/src/core/lib/surface/init.c
@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@
 #include "src/core/lib/channel/connected_channel.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/channel/http_client_filter.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/channel/http_server_filter.h"
+#include "src/core/lib/channel/message_size_filter.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/debug/trace.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/http/parser.h"
 #include "src/core/lib/iomgr/executor.h"
@@ -99,6 +100,15 @@
 static void register_builtin_channel_init() {
   grpc_channel_init_register_stage(
       GRPC_CLIENT_CHANNEL, GRPC_CHANNEL_INIT_BUILTIN_PRIORITY, prepend_filter,
+      (void *)&grpc_message_size_filter);
+  grpc_channel_init_register_stage(
+      GRPC_CLIENT_DIRECT_CHANNEL, GRPC_CHANNEL_INIT_BUILTIN_PRIORITY,
+      prepend_filter, (void *)&grpc_message_size_filter);
+  grpc_channel_init_register_stage(
+      GRPC_SERVER_CHANNEL, GRPC_CHANNEL_INIT_BUILTIN_PRIORITY, prepend_filter,
+      (void *)&grpc_message_size_filter);
+  grpc_channel_init_register_stage(
+      GRPC_CLIENT_CHANNEL, GRPC_CHANNEL_INIT_BUILTIN_PRIORITY, prepend_filter,
       (void *)&grpc_compress_filter);
   grpc_channel_init_register_stage(
       GRPC_CLIENT_DIRECT_CHANNEL, GRPC_CHANNEL_INIT_BUILTIN_PRIORITY,
diff --git a/src/python/grpcio/grpc_core_dependencies.py b/src/python/grpcio/grpc_core_dependencies.py
index 660e34d..491e38c 100644
--- a/src/python/grpcio/grpc_core_dependencies.py
+++ b/src/python/grpcio/grpc_core_dependencies.py
@@ -84,6 +84,7 @@
   'src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.c',
   'src/core/lib/channel/http_client_filter.c',
   'src/core/lib/channel/http_server_filter.c',
+  'src/core/lib/channel/message_size_filter.c',
   'src/core/lib/compression/compression.c',
   'src/core/lib/compression/message_compress.c',
   'src/core/lib/debug/trace.c',
diff --git a/test/core/end2end/tests/max_message_length.c b/test/core/end2end/tests/max_message_length.c
index 08d326a..c8e0748 100644
--- a/test/core/end2end/tests/max_message_length.c
+++ b/test/core/end2end/tests/max_message_length.c
@@ -100,19 +100,22 @@
   grpc_completion_queue_destroy(f->cq);
 }
 
-static void test_max_message_length(grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
+static void test_max_message_length(grpc_end2end_test_config config,
+                                    bool send_limit) {
+  gpr_log(GPR_INFO, "testing with send_limit=%d", send_limit);
+
   grpc_end2end_test_fixture f;
-  grpc_arg server_arg;
-  grpc_channel_args server_args;
+  grpc_arg channel_arg;
+  grpc_channel_args channel_args;
   grpc_call *c;
-  grpc_call *s;
+  grpc_call *s = NULL;
   cq_verifier *cqv;
   grpc_op ops[6];
   grpc_op *op;
   gpr_slice request_payload_slice = gpr_slice_from_copied_string("hello world");
   grpc_byte_buffer *request_payload =
       grpc_raw_byte_buffer_create(&request_payload_slice, 1);
-  grpc_byte_buffer *recv_payload;
+  grpc_byte_buffer *recv_payload = NULL;
   grpc_metadata_array initial_metadata_recv;
   grpc_metadata_array trailing_metadata_recv;
   grpc_metadata_array request_metadata_recv;
@@ -123,14 +126,17 @@
   size_t details_capacity = 0;
   int was_cancelled = 2;
 
-  server_arg.key = GRPC_ARG_MAX_MESSAGE_LENGTH;
-  server_arg.type = GRPC_ARG_INTEGER;
-  server_arg.value.integer = 5;
+  channel_arg.key = send_limit ? GRPC_ARG_MAX_SEND_MESSAGE_LENGTH
+                               : GRPC_ARG_MAX_RECEIVE_MESSAGE_LENGTH;
+  channel_arg.type = GRPC_ARG_INTEGER;
+  channel_arg.value.integer = 5;
 
-  server_args.num_args = 1;
-  server_args.args = &server_arg;
+  channel_args.num_args = 1;
+  channel_args.args = &channel_arg;
 
-  f = begin_test(config, "test_max_message_length", NULL, &server_args);
+  f = begin_test(config, "test_max_message_length",
+                 send_limit ? &channel_args : NULL,
+                 send_limit ? NULL : &channel_args);
   cqv = cq_verifier_create(f.cq);
 
   c = grpc_channel_create_call(f.client, NULL, GRPC_PROPAGATE_DEFAULTS, f.cq,
@@ -175,6 +181,12 @@
   error = grpc_call_start_batch(c, ops, (size_t)(op - ops), tag(1), NULL);
   GPR_ASSERT(GRPC_CALL_OK == error);
 
+  if (send_limit) {
+    cq_expect_completion(cqv, tag(1), 1);
+    cq_verify(cqv);
+    goto done;
+  }
+
   error =
       grpc_server_request_call(f.server, &s, &call_details,
                                &request_metadata_recv, f.cq, f.cq, tag(101));
@@ -201,11 +213,12 @@
   cq_expect_completion(cqv, tag(1), 1);
   cq_verify(cqv);
 
-  GPR_ASSERT(status != GRPC_STATUS_OK);
   GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(call_details.method, "/foo"));
   GPR_ASSERT(0 == strcmp(call_details.host, "foo.test.google.fr:1234"));
   GPR_ASSERT(was_cancelled == 1);
-  GPR_ASSERT(recv_payload == NULL);
+
+done:
+  GPR_ASSERT(status == GRPC_STATUS_INVALID_ARGUMENT);
 
   gpr_free(details);
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&initial_metadata_recv);
@@ -213,9 +226,10 @@
   grpc_metadata_array_destroy(&request_metadata_recv);
   grpc_call_details_destroy(&call_details);
   grpc_byte_buffer_destroy(request_payload);
+  grpc_byte_buffer_destroy(recv_payload);
 
   grpc_call_destroy(c);
-  grpc_call_destroy(s);
+  if (s != NULL) grpc_call_destroy(s);
 
   cq_verifier_destroy(cqv);
 
@@ -224,7 +238,8 @@
 }
 
 void max_message_length(grpc_end2end_test_config config) {
-  test_max_message_length(config);
+  test_max_message_length(config, true);
+  test_max_message_length(config, false);
 }
 
 void max_message_length_pre_init(void) {}
diff --git a/tools/doxygen/Doxyfile.core.internal b/tools/doxygen/Doxyfile.core.internal
index 50cebfa..d8e1dbc 100644
--- a/tools/doxygen/Doxyfile.core.internal
+++ b/tools/doxygen/Doxyfile.core.internal
@@ -799,6 +799,7 @@
 src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.h \
 src/core/lib/channel/http_client_filter.h \
 src/core/lib/channel/http_server_filter.h \
+src/core/lib/channel/message_size_filter.h \
 src/core/lib/compression/algorithm_metadata.h \
 src/core/lib/compression/message_compress.h \
 src/core/lib/debug/trace.h \
@@ -958,6 +959,7 @@
 src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.c \
 src/core/lib/channel/http_client_filter.c \
 src/core/lib/channel/http_server_filter.c \
+src/core/lib/channel/message_size_filter.c \
 src/core/lib/compression/compression.c \
 src/core/lib/compression/message_compress.c \
 src/core/lib/debug/trace.c \
diff --git a/tools/run_tests/sources_and_headers.json b/tools/run_tests/sources_and_headers.json
index 84f7da8..e3f43da 100644
--- a/tools/run_tests/sources_and_headers.json
+++ b/tools/run_tests/sources_and_headers.json
@@ -5825,6 +5825,7 @@
       "src/core/lib/channel/handshaker.h", 
       "src/core/lib/channel/http_client_filter.h", 
       "src/core/lib/channel/http_server_filter.h", 
+      "src/core/lib/channel/message_size_filter.h", 
       "src/core/lib/compression/algorithm_metadata.h", 
       "src/core/lib/compression/message_compress.h", 
       "src/core/lib/debug/trace.h", 
@@ -5923,6 +5924,8 @@
       "src/core/lib/channel/http_client_filter.h", 
       "src/core/lib/channel/http_server_filter.c", 
       "src/core/lib/channel/http_server_filter.h", 
+      "src/core/lib/channel/message_size_filter.c", 
+      "src/core/lib/channel/message_size_filter.h", 
       "src/core/lib/compression/algorithm_metadata.h", 
       "src/core/lib/compression/compression.c", 
       "src/core/lib/compression/message_compress.c", 
diff --git a/vsprojects/vcxproj/grpc/grpc.vcxproj b/vsprojects/vcxproj/grpc/grpc.vcxproj
index 298887e..e8e3081 100644
--- a/vsprojects/vcxproj/grpc/grpc.vcxproj
+++ b/vsprojects/vcxproj/grpc/grpc.vcxproj
@@ -308,6 +308,7 @@
     <ClInclude Include="$(SolutionDir)\..\src\core\lib\channel\handshaker.h" />
     <ClInclude Include="$(SolutionDir)\..\src\core\lib\channel\http_client_filter.h" />
     <ClInclude Include="$(SolutionDir)\..\src\core\lib\channel\http_server_filter.h" />
+    <ClInclude Include="$(SolutionDir)\..\src\core\lib\channel\message_size_filter.h" />
     <ClInclude Include="$(SolutionDir)\..\src\core\lib\compression\algorithm_metadata.h" />
     <ClInclude Include="$(SolutionDir)\..\src\core\lib\compression\message_compress.h" />
     <ClInclude Include="$(SolutionDir)\..\src\core\lib\debug\trace.h" />
@@ -478,6 +479,8 @@
     </ClCompile>
     <ClCompile Include="$(SolutionDir)\..\src\core\lib\channel\http_server_filter.c">
     </ClCompile>
+    <ClCompile Include="$(SolutionDir)\..\src\core\lib\channel\message_size_filter.c">
+    </ClCompile>
     <ClCompile Include="$(SolutionDir)\..\src\core\lib\compression\compression.c">
     </ClCompile>
     <ClCompile Include="$(SolutionDir)\..\src\core\lib\compression\message_compress.c">
diff --git a/vsprojects/vcxproj/grpc/grpc.vcxproj.filters b/vsprojects/vcxproj/grpc/grpc.vcxproj.filters
index 539dbad..f8d97e9 100644
--- a/vsprojects/vcxproj/grpc/grpc.vcxproj.filters
+++ b/vsprojects/vcxproj/grpc/grpc.vcxproj.filters
@@ -28,6 +28,9 @@
     <ClCompile Include="$(SolutionDir)\..\src\core\lib\channel\http_server_filter.c">
       <Filter>src\core\lib\channel</Filter>
     </ClCompile>
+    <ClCompile Include="$(SolutionDir)\..\src\core\lib\channel\message_size_filter.c">
+      <Filter>src\core\lib\channel</Filter>
+    </ClCompile>
     <ClCompile Include="$(SolutionDir)\..\src\core\lib\compression\compression.c">
       <Filter>src\core\lib\compression</Filter>
     </ClCompile>
@@ -692,6 +695,9 @@
     <ClInclude Include="$(SolutionDir)\..\src\core\lib\channel\http_server_filter.h">
       <Filter>src\core\lib\channel</Filter>
     </ClInclude>
+    <ClInclude Include="$(SolutionDir)\..\src\core\lib\channel\message_size_filter.h">
+      <Filter>src\core\lib\channel</Filter>
+    </ClInclude>
     <ClInclude Include="$(SolutionDir)\..\src\core\lib\compression\algorithm_metadata.h">
       <Filter>src\core\lib\compression</Filter>
     </ClInclude>
diff --git a/vsprojects/vcxproj/grpc_test_util/grpc_test_util.vcxproj b/vsprojects/vcxproj/grpc_test_util/grpc_test_util.vcxproj
index 84a71d2..2e5fecc 100644
--- a/vsprojects/vcxproj/grpc_test_util/grpc_test_util.vcxproj
+++ b/vsprojects/vcxproj/grpc_test_util/grpc_test_util.vcxproj
@@ -198,6 +198,7 @@
     <ClInclude Include="$(SolutionDir)\..\src\core\lib\channel\handshaker.h" />
     <ClInclude Include="$(SolutionDir)\..\src\core\lib\channel\http_client_filter.h" />
     <ClInclude Include="$(SolutionDir)\..\src\core\lib\channel\http_server_filter.h" />
+    <ClInclude Include="$(SolutionDir)\..\src\core\lib\channel\message_size_filter.h" />
     <ClInclude Include="$(SolutionDir)\..\src\core\lib\compression\algorithm_metadata.h" />
     <ClInclude Include="$(SolutionDir)\..\src\core\lib\compression\message_compress.h" />
     <ClInclude Include="$(SolutionDir)\..\src\core\lib\debug\trace.h" />
@@ -321,6 +322,8 @@
     </ClCompile>
     <ClCompile Include="$(SolutionDir)\..\src\core\lib\channel\http_server_filter.c">
     </ClCompile>
+    <ClCompile Include="$(SolutionDir)\..\src\core\lib\channel\message_size_filter.c">
+    </ClCompile>
     <ClCompile Include="$(SolutionDir)\..\src\core\lib\compression\compression.c">
     </ClCompile>
     <ClCompile Include="$(SolutionDir)\..\src\core\lib\compression\message_compress.c">
diff --git a/vsprojects/vcxproj/grpc_test_util/grpc_test_util.vcxproj.filters b/vsprojects/vcxproj/grpc_test_util/grpc_test_util.vcxproj.filters
index 18fe926..bfa0cda 100644
--- a/vsprojects/vcxproj/grpc_test_util/grpc_test_util.vcxproj.filters
+++ b/vsprojects/vcxproj/grpc_test_util/grpc_test_util.vcxproj.filters
@@ -76,6 +76,9 @@
     <ClCompile Include="$(SolutionDir)\..\src\core\lib\channel\http_server_filter.c">
       <Filter>src\core\lib\channel</Filter>
     </ClCompile>
+    <ClCompile Include="$(SolutionDir)\..\src\core\lib\channel\message_size_filter.c">
+      <Filter>src\core\lib\channel</Filter>
+    </ClCompile>
     <ClCompile Include="$(SolutionDir)\..\src\core\lib\compression\compression.c">
       <Filter>src\core\lib\compression</Filter>
     </ClCompile>
@@ -470,6 +473,9 @@
     <ClInclude Include="$(SolutionDir)\..\src\core\lib\channel\http_server_filter.h">
       <Filter>src\core\lib\channel</Filter>
     </ClInclude>
+    <ClInclude Include="$(SolutionDir)\..\src\core\lib\channel\message_size_filter.h">
+      <Filter>src\core\lib\channel</Filter>
+    </ClInclude>
     <ClInclude Include="$(SolutionDir)\..\src\core\lib\compression\algorithm_metadata.h">
       <Filter>src\core\lib\compression</Filter>
     </ClInclude>
diff --git a/vsprojects/vcxproj/grpc_unsecure/grpc_unsecure.vcxproj b/vsprojects/vcxproj/grpc_unsecure/grpc_unsecure.vcxproj
index 6a89065..f2bcac8 100644
--- a/vsprojects/vcxproj/grpc_unsecure/grpc_unsecure.vcxproj
+++ b/vsprojects/vcxproj/grpc_unsecure/grpc_unsecure.vcxproj
@@ -297,6 +297,7 @@
     <ClInclude Include="$(SolutionDir)\..\src\core\lib\channel\handshaker.h" />
     <ClInclude Include="$(SolutionDir)\..\src\core\lib\channel\http_client_filter.h" />
     <ClInclude Include="$(SolutionDir)\..\src\core\lib\channel\http_server_filter.h" />
+    <ClInclude Include="$(SolutionDir)\..\src\core\lib\channel\message_size_filter.h" />
     <ClInclude Include="$(SolutionDir)\..\src\core\lib\compression\algorithm_metadata.h" />
     <ClInclude Include="$(SolutionDir)\..\src\core\lib\compression\message_compress.h" />
     <ClInclude Include="$(SolutionDir)\..\src\core\lib\debug\trace.h" />
@@ -445,6 +446,8 @@
     </ClCompile>
     <ClCompile Include="$(SolutionDir)\..\src\core\lib\channel\http_server_filter.c">
     </ClCompile>
+    <ClCompile Include="$(SolutionDir)\..\src\core\lib\channel\message_size_filter.c">
+    </ClCompile>
     <ClCompile Include="$(SolutionDir)\..\src\core\lib\compression\compression.c">
     </ClCompile>
     <ClCompile Include="$(SolutionDir)\..\src\core\lib\compression\message_compress.c">
diff --git a/vsprojects/vcxproj/grpc_unsecure/grpc_unsecure.vcxproj.filters b/vsprojects/vcxproj/grpc_unsecure/grpc_unsecure.vcxproj.filters
index 8325d91..6798323 100644
--- a/vsprojects/vcxproj/grpc_unsecure/grpc_unsecure.vcxproj.filters
+++ b/vsprojects/vcxproj/grpc_unsecure/grpc_unsecure.vcxproj.filters
@@ -31,6 +31,9 @@
     <ClCompile Include="$(SolutionDir)\..\src\core\lib\channel\http_server_filter.c">
       <Filter>src\core\lib\channel</Filter>
     </ClCompile>
+    <ClCompile Include="$(SolutionDir)\..\src\core\lib\channel\message_size_filter.c">
+      <Filter>src\core\lib\channel</Filter>
+    </ClCompile>
     <ClCompile Include="$(SolutionDir)\..\src\core\lib\compression\compression.c">
       <Filter>src\core\lib\compression</Filter>
     </ClCompile>
@@ -599,6 +602,9 @@
     <ClInclude Include="$(SolutionDir)\..\src\core\lib\channel\http_server_filter.h">
       <Filter>src\core\lib\channel</Filter>
     </ClInclude>
+    <ClInclude Include="$(SolutionDir)\..\src\core\lib\channel\message_size_filter.h">
+      <Filter>src\core\lib\channel</Filter>
+    </ClInclude>
     <ClInclude Include="$(SolutionDir)\..\src\core\lib\compression\algorithm_metadata.h">
       <Filter>src\core\lib\compression</Filter>
     </ClInclude>