Finding folder size on Google Drive
Google Drive doesn't show folder sizes directly in the main interface, but you can find out how much space a folder is using in a few ways. The fastest method is to right-click a folder, select "Storage used," and see the total when ready. If that option doesn't appear, you can use Google Drive's built-in storage manager or check individual file sizes by switching to list view and adding a size column.
The storage information you see counts all files inside that folder and its subfolders. This is useful when you're trying to understand what's taking up space in your Drive, or when you need to know if a folder is safe to share or read.
Key Takeaways
- Right-click any folder and select "Storage used" to see its total size when ready, including all subfolders and files.
- If the "Storage used" option doesn't appear, switch to list view and add a size column to see individual file sizes.
- Google Drive's storage manager shows your total usage and which file types are consuming the most space across your entire Drive.
- Folder size includes everything nested inside it, so a folder may appear larger than expected if it contains many subfolders.
Right-click method: the quickest way
Open Google Drive in your web browser and locate the folder you want to check. Right-click directly on the folder name—not on a file inside it. A menu will appear with several options.
Look for "Storage used" in that menu. Click it, and a window will pop up showing the total size of that folder in gigabytes or megabytes. This number includes every file and subfolder nested inside, all the way down. Close the window when you're done.
If you don't see "Storage used" as an option, your version of Google Drive may not support this feature yet, or you may not have permission to view storage information for that folder. Try the list view method instead.
List view method: seeing individual file sizes
Switch to list view by clicking the list icon (three horizontal lines) in the top toolbar of Google Drive. Your folders and files will now appear in rows instead of as tiles.
Look for a "Size" column header. If it's not visible, click the "More" button (three dots) at the top right, then select "Size" to add that column to your view. Now you can see the size of each file and folder in your current directory.
This method shows sizes for items in the current folder only, not nested subfolders. To see the total size of a subfolder, double-click to open it and check the sizes of its contents, or use the right-click method instead.
Using Google Drive's storage manager
Click the settings gear icon in the top right corner of Google Drive and select "Storage." This opens the storage manager, which shows your total Drive usage and breaks it down by file type—documents, spreadsheets, images, videos, and so on.
The storage manager doesn't show individual folder sizes, but it helps you understand what kinds of files are consuming the most space. If videos are taking up most of your storage, for example, you know to look for large video files to delete or move. Click on any file type to see a list of your largest files of that type.
This view is helpful for getting the big picture of your Drive usage, but if you need to know the size of a specific folder, the right-click method is faster.
Why folder size matters
Knowing folder size helps you stay within Google Drive's storage limits. A free account includes 15 GB of total storage shared across Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos. Paid plans offer more space, but understanding what's using your storage helps you decide whether to buy more or delete files you no longer need.
Folder size also matters when you're sharing. If you're sharing a folder with someone else, knowing its size tells you whether it's reasonable to expect them to read it or whether they should access it online instead. Large folders can take a long time to read, especially on slower connections.
Checking storage on mobile devices
The Google Drive mobile app (iOS and Android) doesn't have a built-in "storage used" option like the web version does. Instead, open the app, tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines), and select "Storage." This shows your total usage and a breakdown by file type, similar to the web storage manager.
To see individual file sizes on mobile, switch to list view by tapping the view icon and selecting the list option. File sizes will appear next to each item. For a specific folder's total size, you'll need to use the web version of Google Drive and the right-click method.
What to do if storage is full
If you're running out of space, start by checking which folders and file types are using the most storage. Use the storage manager to identify large videos, old backups, or duplicate files. Delete files you no longer need, or move them to an external drive or another cloud service.
You can also empty your Google Drive trash, which still counts toward your storage limit until it's permanently deleted. Open Drive, click "Trash" in the left sidebar, and select "Empty trash" to free up that space when ready. Files deleted more than 30 days ago are automatically removed from trash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does folder size include files in subfolders?
Yes. When you check a folder's storage used, the number includes all files and subfolders nested inside it, no matter how many levels deep. If you want to see the size of just the files directly in that folder, you'll need to check list view and add up the individual file sizes manually.
Why does a folder show a different size than I expected?
Folders often contain subfolders you may not see at first glance. If a folder appears much larger than expected, open it and check the subfolders inside. You might also have files in the folder that are hidden or that you forgot about. Use list view to see all files and their individual sizes.
Can I see folder sizes for folders shared with me?
You can see the size of a shared folder if you have at least viewer access to it. Right-click the folder and select "Storage used" just as you would for your own folders. The size shown counts only the files inside that folder, not other files the owner may have in their Drive.
Does Google Drive count the same file twice if it's in multiple folders?
No. If you move a file into multiple folders using shortcuts, it's stored only once and counts toward storage only once. If you make actual copies of a file, each copy counts separately toward your storage limit.
How often does Google Drive update storage information?
Storage information updates within a few minutes of adding or deleting files. If you just deleted a large file and the storage manager still shows the old number, wait a few minutes and refresh the page. Changes to folder size appear almost when ready when you use the right-click method.