# 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. Canonical: https://www.notchstar.com/tips/find-large-files-on-mac/ Last updated: 2026-11-04 Published 2026-11-04. Work from the top down: look at sizes one folder at a time and go only into the biggest one. In Finder, press Command and J in your home folder, tick Calculate all sizes, switch to list view and click the Size column. In Terminal, one command ranks everything in your home folder by size. ## In Finder 1. Open your home folder. 2. Switch to list view. 3. Press Command and J, and tick Calculate all sizes. 4. Click the Size column so the biggest folders sort to the top. 5. Open the biggest folder and repeat. ## In Terminal This prints the size of every visible item in your home folder, smallest to largest: ```bash du -sh ~/* 2>/dev/null | sort -h ``` `du` reports disk usage, `-s` gives one total per item, `-h` prints readable sizes, and `sort -h` sorts `900M` before `5G`. The Library folder is hidden in Finder, which is why it is often the surprise. To look one level down: ```bash du -sh ~/Library/* 2>/dev/null | sort -h | tail -8 ``` ## Find single big files Spotlight can list every file over one gigabyte in your home folder: ```bash mdfind -onlyin ~ 'kMDItemFSSize > 1000000000' ``` On the Mac used for the blog post, this found an emulator image and a log file that had grown for months. ## Before you delete anything A big folder is not proof its contents are disposable. Move a file to the Trash first, check you still do not need it, then empty the Trash. If a file might matter, keep another copy. Never delete from system folders. Apple says Trash contents do not free space until emptied, so see [empty the Trash safely](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/empty-trash-on-mac-safely/). ## Common culprits Downloads, old installers, screen recordings, app caches and developer build data. Clear caches one app at a time using [clear caches safely](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/clear-caches-on-mac-safely/). For copies of the same file, see [find duplicate files](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/find-duplicate-files-on-mac/). The whole routine is in the blog post [free up space on your Mac without a cleaner](https://www.notchstar.com/blog/free-up-space-on-your-mac-without-a-cleaner/). ## In the notch NotchStar's [Disk tool](https://www.notchstar.com/features/disk/) does the same ranking with its Space section, and Find searches files by name. It scans only when you press the button. ## Keep reading. - [How to check disk space on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/check-disk-space-on-mac/): See how much storage is used and free on a Mac in System Settings, in Finder, and with one Terminal command. Includes why the numbers can disagree. - [How to clear caches on a Mac safely](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/clear-caches-on-mac-safely/): Which cache folders on a Mac are safe to clear, how to check their size, and the rule that keeps you out of trouble: one app at a time, with the app quit. - [How to find duplicate files on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/find-duplicate-files-on-mac/): Two files with the same name may differ, and two with different names may match. How to find true duplicates on a Mac by comparing content. - [Disk space, duplicates, apps and cleanup](https://www.notchstar.com/features/disk/): 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](https://www.notchstar.com/blog/free-up-space-on-your-mac-without-a-cleaner/): 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. ## More in Storage. - [How to check disk space on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/check-disk-space-on-mac/): See how much storage is used and free on a Mac in System Settings, in Finder, and with one Terminal command. Includes why the numbers can disagree. - [What is System Data on a Mac, and can you delete it?](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/what-is-system-data-on-mac/): 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 clear caches on a Mac safely](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/clear-caches-on-mac-safely/): Which cache folders on a Mac are safe to clear, how to check their size, and the rule that keeps you out of trouble: one app at a time, with the app quit. - [How to find duplicate files on a Mac](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/find-duplicate-files-on-mac/): Two files with the same name may differ, and two with different names may match. How to find true duplicates on a Mac by comparing content. - [How to empty the Trash on a Mac safely](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/empty-trash-on-mac-safely/): Empty the Trash from the Dock, restore items with Put Back, delete one item, handle locked files, and set the Mac to empty it after 30 days. - [How to uninstall an app on a Mac and remove its leftover files](https://www.notchstar.com/tips/uninstall-app-and-leftover-files-mac/): Use the app's uninstaller if it has one, otherwise move it to the Trash. Then check the Library folder for the cache, settings and data it left behind.