Free Up Storage Space in Google Drive: 12 Ways
To free up storage space in Google Drive, you need to delete large files, empty your trash, and clear out spam from Gmail, since all three share the same 15 GB free quota. This article walks you through the fastest methods, explains how Google storage works, and helps you avoid common mistakes that waste space.
How Google Drive Storage Works
Google Drive storage is not separate from Gmail or Google Photos—it is one shared pool. Every file you store in Drive, every email attachment in Gmail, and every original-quality photo or video backed up from your phone counts against the same 15 GB free limit. When that limit is reached, you cannot upload new files or send or receive emails with attachments.
Files that count toward your quota include:
- Documents, spreadsheets, slides, and PDFs stored in Drive
- Photos and videos uploaded to Google Photos in original quality (not “Storage saver� quality)
- Gmail messages and attachments, including those in Spam and Trash
- Files shared with you that you have added to your Drive
Files that do not count: Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, and Jamboard files created in the web apps, as long as they are stored in the cloud and not as Office or PDF exports.
Find What Is Taking Up the Most Space
Before deleting anything, you need to see a breakdown of your storage. Google provides a simple tool:
- Go to one.google.com/storage (or open Google Drive and click the storage bar at the bottom left).
- The page shows a pie chart of how much space is used by Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos.
- Click “Drive� to see a list of your largest files, sorted by size.
- Click “Gmail� to see the largest emails (usually those with attachments).
- Click “Photos� to see the largest photos and videos.
This is the single most useful step—it tells you exactly where the bulk of your data lives, so you don’t waste time deleting tiny files.
Delete Large Files and Duplicates
Once you have the list of large files, go through it and delete anything you no longer need. Common culprits are videos, high-resolution photos, PDFs of old receipts, and zipped folders. For duplicates, search for files with the same name or use the “Sort by size� view in Drive to spot copies.
To delete a file permanently (not just move it to trash):
- Right-click the file in Drive and select “Remove.�
- Go to the Trash (left sidebar).
- Click “Empty trash� at the top right.
Deleting a file from Drive but not emptying the trash does not free up space. The trash holds files for 30 days, and they still count against your quota during that time.
Clear Gmail Attachments and Spam
Gmail attachments are a hidden storage hog. A single email with a 25 MB video attachment can eat a noticeable chunk of your 15 GB. To free space:
- In Gmail, search for
has:attachment larger:10Mto find large emails. - Delete the ones you no longer need (or download the attachments first if you want to keep them).
- Empty the Gmail Trash (left sidebar → Trash → “Empty Trash now�).
- Also empty Spam—spam emails with attachments still count against your quota.
You can also use has:attachment larger:20M or larger:50M to narrow down to the biggest offenders.
Manage Google Photos Storage
If you use Google Photos, original-quality photos and videos count against your Drive quota. To free space:
- Switch to “Storage saver� quality (formerly “High quality�) for new uploads—these are compressed but still look fine on most screens.
- Delete large videos or photos you no longer need from the Photos app.
- Use the “Free up space� feature in the Photos app to remove backed-up items from your device (this frees device space, not Drive space, but it’s often confused).
If you have a large library, consider downloading originals to an external drive and then deleting them from Photos.
Compress or Convert Files
Sometimes you want to keep a file but reduce its size. For example:
- Convert a large PDF to a smaller version using an online compressor (or re-export it with lower resolution).
- Convert a high-resolution image to JPEG or reduce its dimensions.
- Zip multiple files into one archive—but note that zipping does not always reduce size for already-compressed formats like JPEG or MP4.
This is a good middle ground if you cannot delete the file entirely.
Use Google Drive Storage Tools and Third-Party Apps
Google does not offer a built-in “clean up� button that automatically deletes junk, but you can use third-party services that connect to your Drive and scan for large files, duplicates, and old files. Popular options include Clean Drive, CloudFuze, and MultCloud—but always review the permissions you grant and revoke access after use.
Alternatively, you can use Google’s own search operators in Drive to find files by type, size, or date:
type:video– find all videostype:pdf– find all PDFsmodified:before 2020-01-01– find old filessize:>100M– find files larger than 100 MB
Frequently Asked Questions
Does deleting a shared file free up my storage?
If someone shares a file with you and you add it to your Drive, it counts against your quota. If you remove it from your Drive (not the owner’s), your storage is freed, but the owner still has it.
Why does my Drive say “full� even after I deleted files?
You probably did not empty the trash. Deleted files stay in trash for 30 days and continue to count against your quota. Empty the trash in Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos.
Does Google Docs count against my storage?
No, Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, and Jamboard files created in the web apps do not count toward your storage quota. However, if you export them as PDF, Word, or Excel files, those exports do count.
Can I increase my storage without paying?
Google occasionally gives free storage for promotions (e.g., Pixel phone owners get free original-quality photo backup), but the standard 15 GB is fixed. You can also use a second Google account, but that is not a single-pool solution.
What happens if I exceed my storage quota?
You cannot upload new files, send or receive emails with attachments, or back up new photos. Existing files remain accessible, but you are effectively locked out of new activity until you free space or upgrade.
Is it safe to use third-party cleanup tools?
It is safe if you choose a reputable tool and carefully review the permissions it requests. Revoke access after you finish cleaning. Avoid tools that ask for your password directly—use Google’s OAuth instead.
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