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Get File Size

Zero-dependency Python snippets for getting file sizes using the standard library.

4 snippets available in this sub-category.

Simple

Get file size in bytes

file size bytes os

Get the size of a file in bytes

import os

size = os.path.getsize("file.txt")
print(f"File size: {size} bytes")

Notes

  • Returns size in bytes
  • Raises OSError if file doesn't exist
  • Works for any file type

Get file size safely

file size error-handling os

Get file size with error handling

import os

try:
    size = os.path.getsize("file.txt")
    print(f"File size: {size} bytes")
except FileNotFoundError:
    print("File does not exist")

Notes

  • Handles case where file doesn't exist
  • Provides clear error message
  • Safe for scripts

Complex

Get file size in human readable format

file size human-readable format os

Get file size in human readable format (B, KB, MB, etc.)

import os


def get_file_size_human(filename):
    """Get file size in human readable format."""
    if not os.path.exists(filename):
        return "File does not exist"

    size_bytes = os.path.getsize(filename)

    # Convert to appropriate unit
    for unit in ["B", "KB", "MB", "GB", "TB"]:
        if size_bytes < 1024.0:
            return f"{size_bytes:.1f} {unit}"
        size_bytes /= 1024.0

    return f"{size_bytes:.1f} PB"


size = get_file_size_human("large_file.txt")
print(f"File size: {size}")

Notes

  • Automatically converts to appropriate unit
  • Handles files up to petabytes
  • Easy to read and understand
  • Useful for user interfaces

Get directory size recursively

file size directory recursive walk os

Calculate total size of directory and all subdirectories

import os


def get_directory_size(directory):
    """Calculate total size of directory and all subdirectories."""
    total_size = 0
    file_count = 0

    for dirpath, dirnames, filenames in os.walk(directory):
        for filename in filenames:
            filepath = os.path.join(dirpath, filename)
            try:
                total_size += os.path.getsize(filepath)
                file_count += 1
            except (OSError, FileNotFoundError):
                # Skip files that can't be accessed
                continue

    return total_size, file_count


size_bytes, count = get_directory_size("/path/to/directory")
print(f"Directory contains {count} files")
print(f"Total size: {size_bytes:,} bytes")

Notes

  • Walks through all subdirectories
  • Counts total files and size
  • Handles permission errors gracefully

🔗 Cross Reference

🏷️ Tags

file, size, bytes, error-handling, human-readable, format, directory, recursive, walk, os

📝 Notes

  • Returns size in bytes or human-readable units
  • Handles missing files and permission errors
  • Useful for scripts, reporting, and user interfaces