Macbook showing incorrect 'used' storage amount

Hi brianvergara,

Thanks for contacting Apple Support Communities!

We understand that the storage reported by macOS doesn't match the amount of storage you've calculated for your Applications folder.

The macOS also includes the size of the Application Support folders in the App category in the storage. Did you also include these folders in the total amount when you calculated the sizes?

If you need help to free up additional storage on your Mac, you can reference this article which will show you how to free storage: Free up storage space on your Mac - Apple Support

"Optimize storage space

Your Mac can optimize storage by using iCloud to automatically make more storage space available when needed.*

Let your Mac free up storage space for you, and use its built-in utilities to quickly find files, apps, books, movies, and other items that are taking up space, then delete items you no longer need.

• macOS Ventura or later: Learn how to optimize storage space
• Earlier versions of macOS: Learn how to optimize storage space

Move or delete files

If you have another storage device, such as an external drive connected to your Mac, you can move files to that device. Media files such as photos and videos can use a lot of storage space, so you can take steps such as these:

• Move your Photos library
• Move your iMovie library

You can also delete files that you no longer need. For example:

• Delete music, movies, podcasts, or other media, especially if it's media that you can stream or download again as needed.
• Delete files in your Downloads folder. Open this folder from the Dock, or by choosing Go > Downloads from the menu bar in the Finder.
• If you use the Mail app for your email, choose Mailbox > Erase Junk Mail from the menu bar in Mail. Also choose Mailbox > Erase Deleted Items.
• If you use your Mac to back up your iPhone or iPad, you can delete old backups.
• Uninstall apps that you no longer use.
• If your Mac is set up for multiple users, delete users that no longer need access to your Mac. Or ask them to follow the steps in this article after logging in to their user account. Also check the Users folder on Macintosh HD for any undeleted data belonging to deleted users. 
• Check the Users folder on Macintosh HD for any shared files that you no longer need to share.

If you don't want to delete certain files, you might be able to save space by compressing them. Then expand them when you need to use them again.

Did you empty the Trash? When you move a file to the Trash, its storage space doesn't become available until you empty the Trash."

We hope this helps.

Cheers!

Hi brianvergara,

It's great to hear that you were able to get to the bottom of where the storage concern lay. If you have any other issues, please create a new thread. A member of the community would be glad to give you an assist.

Take care.