How do I get the size of a Linux or Mac OS X directory from the command-line?

Question

What command do I use to find the size of all the files (recursively) in a Linux or Mac OS X directory?

Community · Answer 1 · 2011-06-27 02:25:30Z

up vote 10 down vote accepted

Show the size of a single file

du -h path_to_a_file

Show the size of the contents of a directory, each sub-directory, and each individual file:

du -h path_to_a_directory

Show the size of the contents of a directory:

du -sh path_to_a_directory

answered Aug 13 '09 at 20:01

7

du -sch if you want something more easily readable. – Joey Aug 13 '09 at 20:09

@Johannes, I guess you should post this comment as an answer, so it can be accepted? – Arjan Aug 15 '09 at 17:15

I find the -c option redundant (at least on Mac OS X) and du -sh supresses the subtotals. – Daryl Spitzer Aug 17 '09 at 18:35

Aha, I didn't know one could accept one's own answer. Now at least people know the question is solved. – Arjan Aug 18 '09 at 9:41

I'll happily accept a new answer that is an improvement on mine. – Daryl Spitzer Aug 18 '09 at 16:10

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