How to check disk space on a Mac

Storage Published 4 November 2026

All of mac tips Try NotchStar in the browser Buy for $4

Open the Apple menu, choose System Settings, click General in the sidebar, then click Storage. The bar at the top shows what is used and what is free. That is the steps on macOS Ventura 13 or later. On earlier versions, choose About This Mac from the Apple menu and click Storage.

What you see on that screen

Below the bar is a list of categories with a size for each: Applications, Documents, Photos, Developer, System Data and so on. Apple says the categories Applications, Documents, Messages, Music Creation, Podcasts, Trash and TV have a More Info button that opens tools for managing that category. Which categories appear depends on what is on your Mac.

Why the number can look wrong

“Available” can include space the system can reclaim. The Storage screen counts space macOS can free by itself, so it can look larger than the plain number. The Terminal command in check disk space in Terminal shows the plain figure.
The Trash still counts. Apple says trashed files do not free space until you empty the Trash. See empty the Trash safely.

Which steps apply to your Mac

Apple’s article gives the System Settings route for macOS Ventura 13 or later and the About This Mac route for earlier versions. Check yours with how to check your macOS version.

What to do next

A full disk is rarely one big thing. It is usually a few folders you can name once you see their sizes.

If the disk is nearly full, find where the space went before deleting anything. Start with what System Data is, then find large files. A short, safe routine is in the blog post free up space on your Mac without a cleaner.

A glanceable version

NotchStar’s Disk tool shows free space for every drive in the notch, with the scan results behind buttons you press yourself. The System Settings route above needs no app.

Keep reading.

What is System Data on a Mac, and can you delete it?: System Data is the catch all in Mac Storage for files that fit no other category. What it holds, why it grows and what is safe to look at.
How to find large files on a Mac: Find the biggest files and folders on a Mac with Storage settings, Finder size sorting and two Terminal commands. Tested commands, and what not to delete.
How to check disk space on a Mac in Terminal: The df command shows plain used and free space on a Mac, and du shows which folders are big. Commands tested on a real Mac, with what each flag does.
Disk space, duplicates, apps and cleanup: See free space, find big folders, duplicates and app leftovers, compress media and clean caches from your Mac notch. Everything goes to the Trash.
How to find what is filling your Mac, and free space safely: Find what fills your Mac with Finder and Terminal, learn which folders are safe to clear, and what to leave alone. Commands tested, with a 20 minute routine.

Put your notch to work.

Buy it once for $4, activate it in a minute, and keep it. Not sure yet? Try every tool in the browser on the home page, or install the 7 day trial.

Buy NotchStar for $4 Try it in the browser