Your computer and your Google Account measure storage differently. It is completely normal for your computer's file manager (like Windows File Explorer or macOS Finder) to show a different storage number than your Google storage page.
| Computer disk space |
The physical space left on your computer's hard drive. You can view this using Windows File Explorer or macOS Finder. |
| Google Account storage |
Your Google storage limit. This is shared across Google Drive, Gmail, Whatsapp backups, and Google Photos. When your account is full, it affects these services. |
Why your computer and Google storage rarely match
Here is why your computer and your Google storage show different amounts:
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Streamed files: Streaming files uses almost no space on your computer, but those files still count toward your cloud storage.
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Mirrored and shared files: Mirroring shared files downloads a full copy to your computer, which fills your hard drive. However, these shared files do not use your cloud storage.
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Other Google services: Emails in Gmail, pictures in Google Photos, items in your Trash, hidden app data, and pinned file versions all use your cloud storage. These items never appear in your computer's local Drive folder.
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Deleted files: If you delete a large number of files, it can take up to 48 to 72 hours for your cloud storage numbers to update.
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Different math: Your computer calculates "size on disk" differently than the cloud counts exact bytes.
Check your Google account storage
Your Storage Manager shows you exactly how much space you're using in Google Photos, Gmail, and Drive, with links to free up space next to each service.
Before you start, check out these tips to make sure you clear space effectively.
Understand when shared files use your storage
Files shared with you do not use your Google storage. They only count against the storage of the person who originally created or owns the file.
However, there are a few exceptions. Shared files will use your storage if:
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You make a copy: You create a copy of the shared file to keep for yourself.
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You add to a shared folder: You upload or add your own files into a folder that someone else shared with you.
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You become the owner: The original owner transfers the ownership of the file to you, making you the new owner.