Size of Multiple Folders?

Peakoverload · Apr 21, 2008

In Windows I can select multiple folders, right click, select properties and it will tell me how much disc space all these files and folders take up and how many files there are.

If I do the same thing in OSX it just opens up multiple Get Info windows :Angry:

How can I find out the combined size of multiple folders?

walkerj · Apr 21, 2008

Are they all in the same parent folder or spread about the home folder?

If they are in the same folder a Get Info on the folder they're in will give you what you need.

Otherwise, we're looking at Stupid UNIX Tricks in Terminal.app to get what you want.

Dysfunction · Apr 21, 2008

du -sch folder1 folder2 folder3 folder4

Will output a list in human readable format, and a total.

walkerj · Apr 21, 2008

Dysfunction said:
du -sch folder1 folder2 folder3 folder4

Will output a list in human readable format, and a total.

Well, that's exactly the Stupid UNIX Trick I alluded to. I'll add to that since du is just going to give one grand total. OP wanted file counts too. So....

ls folder1 folder2 folder3 folder4 /absolutepathto/folder5 | wc -l

That'll give you file count, add a -R if you want it to recurse. But we're getting well outside of the spirit of the Finder.

AlyciaAnimation · Apr 21, 2008

Actually you can do it. Once you select all the folders and right click. Hold down the control key. The "Get info" option will change to "get summary info".

Also, if you press the option key "get info" then changes to "show inspector". The difference between the inspector and a regular info dialog is that it'll change the information if you select another folder or file.

The Vindicat3d · Apr 21, 2008

Or you can just select the files and press cmd+option+I...

Dysfunction · Apr 21, 2008

walkerj said:
Well, that's exactly the Stupid UNIX Trick I alluded to. I'll add to that since du is just going to give one grand total. OP wanted file counts too. So....

ls folder1 folder2 folder3 folder4 /absolutepathto/folder5 | wc -l

That'll give you file count, add a -R if you want it to recurse. But we're getting well outside of the spirit of the Finder.

Wasn't aware that basic Unix commands fell under the privy of "stupid Unix tricks". I'll remember that next time and refrain from offering them

BTW, du does not just give one grand total

Code:

mikeMbp:mp3 mike$ du -sch Fugazi Frank\ Zappa/ Foo\ Fighters/ White\ Zombie/ X Yes
 39M	Fugazi
229M	Frank Zappa/
 65M	Foo Fighters/
 24M	White Zombie/
 28M	X
 51M	Yes
435M	total

Peakoverload · Apr 22, 2008

Wow thanks a lot guys, very, very useful information there. I haven't tried any Unix stuff yet but think I'll give that a try and I'll definitely try the 'Summary' options too.

Cheers everyone, much appreciated it was driving me nuts!