How Much Storage does Gmail Give You?
Every Google Account includes 15 GB of free storage. Google states that Gmail, Google Drive and Google Photos share that space.
Mail, attachments, spam and trash all count. Large attachments use the most space, so a few big files outweigh thousands of short messages.
How do You Check Your Gmail Storage?
- Open the Google One storage page and sign in.
- Read the chart that splits your use across Gmail, Drive and Photos.
- Open Gmail on the web and look at the storage line at the bottom of the page.
- On a phone, open the Gmail app menu and select Storage.
Storage figures can take 48 to 72 hours to update after you delete many files, according to Google.
What Happens When Gmail Storage is Full?
| Situation | What Google states |
|---|---|
| Over quota | You can sign in, but you cannot upload to Drive or save new photos |
| Sending and receiving mail stops, and messages sent to you return to the sender | |
| Over quota for 2 years | Your content becomes eligible for deletion |
| Before deletion | Google gives at least 3 months notice by email and in the product |
Google Account Help lists these rules. Google Sites, Blogger and YouTube sit outside the policy.
How do You Free Gmail Space?
- Search has:attachment larger:10M and delete files you no longer need.
- Empty Spam and Trash, because both count toward your storage.
- Delete old promotional mail in bulk.
- Buy more storage when you need to retain everything.
Backup your mail before you delete it. Our Gmail backup guide shows three ways, and our Google Takeout guide explains the free route.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Gmail Storage Limit?
Google Accounts have 15 GB of free storage. Gmail, Drive and Photos share it.
Do Drive and Photos Count Toward Gmail Storage?
Yes. All three share the same 15 GB, so Drive and Photos files reduce your Gmail space.
Does Gmail Stop Working When Storage is Full?
You can still sign in. Google states that you cannot send or receive mail until you free space or buy more.
How Long can You Sit Over Quota?
Google states that content becomes eligible for deletion after 2 years over quota, with at least 3 months notice first.
Does Spam Count Toward Gmail Storage?
Yes. Spam and Trash count until you empty them.
How do You Find Large Attachments?
Search has:attachment larger:10M in Gmail. Adjust the number to the size you want.
Why does My Storage Not Drop After I Delete Files?
Google states that figures can take 48 to 72 hours to update.
Author's Verdict
Check your storage today, because a full account stops your mail.
Delete large attachments first and backup before you delete anything important.
Key Takeaways
- 15 GB is shared across Gmail, Drive and Photos.
- Full storage stops mail.
- Backup mail before you delete it.
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