Google Drive gives you 15 GB of free storage shared across Gmail, Google Photos, and Google Drive itself
When you create a Google account, you automatically get 15 gigabytes (GB) of storage. This single pool is shared — email you keep in Gmail, photos you upload to Google Photos, and files you store in Google Drive all count against the same 15 GB limit. You do not need to do anything to receive this storage; it comes with the account.
If you need more than 15 GB, Google offers paid plans starting at 100 GB per month. The cost and storage amount depend on which plan you choose. Storage does not roll over month to month — you pay for access to a set amount each month, and if you do not use it all, that unused space does not carry forward.
Your storage use is visible in your Google Account settings under "Storage". You can see exactly how much space Gmail, Google Photos, and Google Drive are using, and how much remains. If you are close to your limit, you can delete files, empty your trash, or upgrade to a paid plan.
Key Takeaways
- Free Google accounts include 15 GB of storage shared between Gmail, Google Photos, and Google Drive combined.
- Paid plans offer 100 GB, 200 GB, 2 TB, or more per month, with costs ranging from roughly $2 to $20 depending on the plan size.
- You can check your current storage use and remaining space in your Google Account settings under "Storage".
- Deleting files, clearing your trash, or removing old emails and photos frees up space without paying for an upgrade.
What counts toward your 15 GB storage limit
Three types of content use your shared 15 GB: files stored in Google Drive, emails and attachments in Gmail, and photos and videos uploaded to Google Photos. Each byte counts the same way — a 1 MB photo in Google Photos uses the same amount of storage as a 1 MB document in Google Drive.
Photos and videos uploaded to Google Photos at "Storage saver" quality (compressed) count toward your limit. If you upload at "Original" quality, they also count. Emails with attachments count as well — the attachment size is what matters, not the email text itself.
Trash and deleted items still count toward your limit until you empty the trash permanently. If you delete a file from Google Drive or Gmail, it moves to trash and stays there for 30 days before Google removes it. During those 30 days, it still uses your storage space.
Google One paid plans and how much they cost
Google offers paid storage through a service called Google One. The plans are:
| Plan | Storage | Approximate Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Basic (free) | 15 GB | No cost |
| Standard | 100 GB | $2 |
| Plus | 200 GB | $3 |
| Premium | 2 TB (2,000 GB) | $10 |
| Premium Plus | 5 TB (5,000 GB) | $20 |
Prices vary by region and may change. You can see the current pricing for your location in your Google Account settings under "Storage" or by visiting the Google One website directly.
When you pay for a Google One plan, the storage applies to your entire Google account — all your Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos use the same pool. If you share your Google account with family members (through Google Family Library), each person gets their own separate storage limit; the paid plan does not combine storage across multiple accounts.
How to check your storage use right now
Open your Google Account by going to myaccount.google.com. On the left side, click "Storage". You will see a bar showing how much of your 15 GB (or paid plan amount) you are using, and a breakdown showing how much Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos are using.
If you are over your limit, Google will not let you upload new files or receive new emails until you free up space. You can delete files from Google Drive, remove photos from Google Photos, or delete old emails to bring your usage back under the limit.
Ways to free up storage without paying
Before upgrading to a paid plan, you can reduce your storage use by deleting files you no longer need. Start by checking Google Photos — old photos and videos often take up the most space. You can delete them one by one, or select multiple items at once and delete them in bulk.
In Gmail, search for large attachments by typing "has:attachment filename:pdf" or "has:attachment filename:jpg" to find emails with files attached. Delete the emails you do not need, or read the attachment and delete just the email.
Empty your trash in both Google Drive and Gmail after deleting files. Deleted items stay in trash for 30 days and still count toward your limit. Permanently removing them frees up space when ready.
If you use Google Photos, you can also turn off automatic backup for your phone's camera roll. This stops new photos from uploading automatically, which slows down how quickly you fill your storage. Photos already backed up will still count toward your limit.
Sharing storage with family members
If you set up a Google Family Library with up to five other family members, each person keeps their own separate 15 GB of free storage. A paid Google One plan can be shared with the family group, but each member still has their own storage limit — the plan does not pool storage across accounts.
For example, if you buy a 2 TB Google One plan and add it to your family group, each of the six family members (including you) gets access to 2 TB of storage for their own account. One person's files do not take up space in another person's account.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I go over my storage limit?
Google will not let you upload new files to Google Drive or receive new emails in Gmail. You can still view and read files you already have. You must delete files or upgrade to a paid plan to upload again.
Do photos uploaded at "Storage saver" quality use less space?
Yes. Google Photos compresses photos and videos at "Storage saver" quality, which uses less space than "Original" quality. Both count toward your 15 GB limit, but compressed versions take up fewer bytes.
Can I buy storage just for Google Drive, separate from Gmail and Google Photos?
No. Google One plans cover your entire Google account. All storage is shared across Gmail, Google Drive, and Google Photos. You cannot buy storage for one service only.
If I delete a file, does it free up space when ready?
No. Deleted files move to trash and stay there for 30 days. They still count toward your storage limit during that time. You must empty the trash permanently to free up space right away.
Do I lose my files if I do not pay for a Google One plan?
No. Your free 15 GB of storage is permanent. If you reach your limit, you cannot upload new files, but files you already have will not be deleted. You can delete old files to make room, or upgrade to a paid plan.