Understanding quantities of disk storage used

The volume selected, named 'Macintosh HD' is a read-only encrypted snapshot of the System volume. None of your files are on this volume.

A size on the order of your 12.3 GB used is compact, but completely beside the point.

Your files are on the next item down, typically named something like 'MacIntosh HD - Data'. This is the volume that is Mounted and Visible in Finder.

"Understanding quantities of disk storage used: This may be a dumb question but may I have an explanation of the indications on the quantity of used/available storage on my MacBook HD. The attached screenshot clearly states only 12.3 GB used but another 656.87 GB as 'Other Volumes'. I have no clue as to what "Other Volumes" might be so would appreciate being 'educated' accordingly if possible."

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Learning a Bit About Hard Drive Capacity Management:

Seeing Which Data is Taking Up How Much on your Hard Drive:

1. Go to: System Settings
2. Click: General
3. Click: Storage
4. View: System Data (Far-right end of storage bar)
5. Observe: the colors below the bar chart.

Clearing System Data:

Out of curiosity, just how much is taken up by "System Data"? You can clear it almost down to none.. See my User Tip: How to Use Finder to Clear “System Data" on a Mac - User Tip

Other Volumes is the space used on Macintosh HD - Data, which shares the drive container.

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“Using your guide (above) System Data is showing as 49.8GB and ‘Available’ as 501.16GB ….. a considerable relief from what I interpreted originally from the Disk Utility window. Many thanks.”

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You are welcome.

Excellent job looking performing your findings!

Correct.

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PaulSG wrote:

Thrn my understand from your reply is that I have only 325.5 GB of useable storage remaining - correct?

Yes.

"Thanks folks for all your inputs - I think I’ve got the picture now!!"

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You are welcome.