OneDrive Storage Limit: How Much Free Space (2026)
OneDrive includes 5 GB of free storage with any Microsoft account. Microsoft 365 Personal raises that to 1 TB, Microsoft 365 Family gives up to 6 TB shared across 6 people, and most business plans default to 1 TB per user (figures as of 2026). Here’s how the tiers work and what happens when space runs out.
The Limits at a Glance
Free (any Microsoft account)
- 5 GB total
Microsoft 365 Personal
- 1 TB for one person
Microsoft 365 Family
- Up to 6 TB total — 1 TB each for up to 6 people
Microsoft 365 Business plans
- Default 1 TB per user; admins can increase this toward 5 TB (and higher with support, depending on plan and licensed user count)
What Counts Toward Your OneDrive Storage
Your OneDrive quota covers files you upload or sync — documents, photos, videos — plus anything saved to OneDrive by default (like Desktop, Documents, and Pictures folders if Known Folder Move is on). On consumer accounts, OneDrive storage is separate from your Outlook.com mailbox quota.
Note a 2026 change: Microsoft has tightened default storage on newly created Microsoft 365 OneDrive accounts, so brand-new accounts may start with a lower default ceiling than older ones. If you manage a tenant, check the per-user default in the admin center rather than assuming 1 TB.
What Happens When You Hit the Limit
When your OneDrive is full, you can’t upload new files, and syncing pauses. On a Microsoft 365 subscription, if your storage drops below your plan’s allowance (for example after a downgrade or expiry), your account can go into a read-only state until you free up space or upgrade.
How to Free Up or Add Space
- Empty the OneDrive recycle bin — deleted files keep counting against your quota until purged.
- Delete large or duplicate files — sort by size in the OneDrive web view to find the biggest offenders.
- Move rarely used files to an external drive or another service.
- Turn on Files On-Demand so files live in the cloud and only download when opened (this saves local disk, not OneDrive quota, but helps your PC).
- Upgrade your plan — Microsoft 365 Personal (1 TB) or Family (up to 6 TB) is the simplest jump from the free 5 GB.
Troubleshooting
How much free storage does OneDrive give you?
5 GB with any free Microsoft account, as of 2026.
How do I get 1 TB on OneDrive?
Subscribe to Microsoft 365 Personal, which includes 1 TB for one person. Microsoft 365 Family gives 1 TB each for up to 6 people (6 TB total).
Why can’t I upload to OneDrive even though I have space?
Check the OneDrive recycle bin — deleted files still count against your quota until you empty it. Also confirm you’re under any new lower default applied to recently created accounts.
Is OneDrive storage shared with my Outlook inbox?
On consumer accounts, no — your OneDrive quota and your Outlook.com mailbox quota are separate allowances.
Does deleting files free up OneDrive space immediately?
Not until you empty the recycle bin. Deleted items are retained there (and keep counting) for a retention period before they’re purged.
Quick Reference
| Plan | Storage |
|---|---|
| Free (Microsoft account) | 5 GB |
| Microsoft 365 Personal | 1 TB |
| Microsoft 365 Family | Up to 6 TB (1 TB × 6 people) |
| Microsoft 365 Business | 1 TB/user default (up to ~5 TB) |
If managing files across OneDrive, email, and calendar eats your day, an AI assistant like Carly can organize attachments into folders straight from your inbox — see how it works with OneDrive.
Related guides: OneDrive file size limit · Outlook mailbox size limit · Google Drive storage limit · Dropbox storage limit
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