Size vs. Size on Disk — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on November 28, 2023
Size indicates the actual data content of a file; Size on Disk shows how much storage space it consumes on a disk, influenced by the disk's allocation unit.
Difference Between Size and Size on Disk
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Size refers to the actual amount of data that a file contains. Size on Disk, on the other hand, represents the space that file occupies on the storage device, which may be greater than the file's actual data size.
When looking at a file's properties, the Size value will tell you the exact amount of data in that file. The Size on Disk value might differ due to how storage devices allocate space in blocks or sectors. A file might not use an entire block, but it still reserves that whole block, impacting the Size on Disk.
Understanding the difference between Size and Size on Disk can help in assessing storage efficiency. If there's a significant disparity between these values, it might indicate that a lot of storage space is being wasted due to the disk's allocation unit size.
Both Size and Size on Disk are crucial metrics. Size provides a straightforward measure of the data contained in a file, while Size on Disk gives insights into storage management and efficiency on a disk or drive.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Actual data content of a file
Space a file occupies on a storage device
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Determined By
File content
Disk's allocation units and file content
Storage Implication
Reflects direct data quantity
Reflects storage efficiency and allocation
Can they be the same?
Yes, especially with exact block or sector fit
Yes, but often larger due to allocation overhead
Relevance
Helps understand file's data volume
Helps understand disk storage utilization
Compare with Definitions
Size
Size denotes the magnitude or dimensions of something.
The size of the shirt is medium.
Size on Disk
Size on Disk gives an understanding of storage efficiency.
The size on disk value showed there was some wasted space.
Size
Size can refer to the extent of an area or surface.
The size of the room was impressive.
Size on Disk
Size on Disk can differ from the actual content size.
Although the document had little content, its size on disk was substantial.
Size
Size might refer to a specific category of magnitude.
The shoe is available in various sizes.
Size on Disk
Size on Disk is influenced by factors like file system and disk fragmentation.
After defragmenting, the size on disk of the files became more optimized.
Size
The physical dimensions, proportions, magnitude, or extent of an object.
Size on Disk
Size on Disk considers the allocation units of a storage device.
The image's size on disk was impacted by the disk's sector allocation.
Size
Any of a series of graduated categories of dimension whereby manufactured articles, such as shoes and clothing, are classified.
Size on Disk
Size on Disk describes the storage space a file takes on a drive.
The file's size on disk was larger than I expected.
Size
Considerable extent, amount, or dimensions
A debt of enormous size.
Size
Relative amount or number, as of population or contents
What size is Cleveland?.
Size
Character, value, or status with reference to relative importance or the capacity to meet given requirements
Try this proposal on for size.
Size
The actual state of affairs
That's about the size of the situation.
Size
Any of several gelatinous or glutinous substances usually made from glue, wax, or clay and used as a glaze or filler for porous materials such as paper, cloth, or wall surfaces.
Size
To arrange, classify, or distribute according to size.
Size
To make, cut, or shape to a required size.
Size
To treat or coat with size or a similar substance.
Size
Sized. Often used in combination
Bite-size appetizers.
An economy-size package.
Size
An assize.
Size
(obsolete) A regulation determining the amount of money paid in fees, taxes etc.
Size
(obsolete) A fixed standard for the magnitude, quality, quantity etc. of goods, especially food and drink.
Size
The dimensions or magnitude of a thing; how big something is.
The size of the building seemed to have increased since I was last there.
Size
(obsolete) A regulation, piece of ordinance.
Size
A specific set of dimensions for a manufactured article, especially clothing.
I don't think we have the red one in your size.
Size
(graph theory) A number of edges in a graph.
Size
Degree of rank, ability, character, etc.
Size
An instrument consisting of a number of perforated gauges fastened together at one end by a rivet, used for measuring the size of pearls
Size
A thin, weak glue used as primer for paper or canvas intended to be painted upon.
Size
Wallpaper paste.
Size
The thickened crust on coagulated blood.
Size
Any viscous substance, such as gilder's varnish.
Size
(transitive) To adjust the size of; to make a certain size.
Size
(transitive) To classify or arrange by size.
Size
(military) To take the height of men, in order to place them in the ranks according to their stature.
Size
(mining) To sift (pieces of ore or metal) in order to separate the finer from the coarser parts.
Size
To approximate the dimensions, estimate the size of.
Size
(intransitive) To take a greater size; to increase in size.
Size
To order food or drink from the buttery; hence, to enter a score, as upon the buttery book.
Size
To swell; to increase the bulk of.
Size
(transitive) To apply glue or other primer to a surface which is to be painted.
Size
Six.
Size
A thin, weak glue used in various trades, as in painting, bookbinding, paper making, etc.
Size
Any viscous substance, as gilder's varnish.
Size
A settled quantity or allowance. See Assize.
Size
An allowance of food and drink from the buttery, aside from the regular dinner at commons; - corresponding to battel at Oxford.
Size
Extent of superficies or volume; bulk; bigness; magnitude; as, the size of a tree or of a mast; the size of a ship or of a rock.
Size
Figurative bulk; condition as to rank, ability, character, etc.; as, the office demands a man of larger size.
Men of a less size and quality.
The middling or lower size of people.
Size
A conventional relative measure of dimension, as for shoes, gloves, and other articles made up for sale.
Size
An instrument consisting of a number of perforated gauges fastened together at one end by a rivet, - used for ascertaining the size of pearls.
Size
To cover with size; to prepare with size.
Size
To fix the standard of.
Size
To adjust or arrange according to size or bulk.
Size
To swell; to increase the bulk of.
Size
To bring or adjust anything exactly to a required dimension, as by cutting.
We had to size up our fellow legislators.
Size
To take greater size; to increase in size.
Our desires give them fashion, and so,As they wax lesser, fall, as they size, grow.
Size
To order food or drink from the buttery; hence, to enter a score, as upon the buttery book.
Size
The physical magnitude of something (how big it is);
A wolf is about the size of a large dog
Size
The property resulting from being one of a series of graduated measurements (as of clothing);
He wears a size 13 shoe
Size
Any glutinous material used to fill pores in surfaces or to stiffen fabrics;
Size gives body to a fabric
Size
The actual state of affairs;
That's the size of the situation
She hates me, that's about the size of it
Size
A large magnitude;
He blanched when he saw the size of the bill
The only city of any size in that area
Size
Cover or stiffen or glaze a porous material with size or sizing (a glutinous substance)
Size
Sort according to size
Size
Make to a size; bring to a suitable size
Size
(used in combination) sized;
The economy-size package
Average-size house
Size
Size signifies how big or small an entity is.
The size of the dog was intimidating.
Size
Size can depict the capacity or volume of an object.
The size of the storage box was adequate for the books.
Common Curiosities
What does Size on Disk mean in context to storage devices?
Size on Disk shows the space a file occupies on the storage device, considering the disk's allocation units.
Can the Size and Size on Disk values be the same for a file?
Yes, especially if the file's data fits exactly into the disk's allocation units.
Why might there be a discrepancy between Size and Size on Disk?
Discrepancies arise due to the way storage devices allocate space in blocks or sectors.
Does defragmenting a disk change the Size on Disk value?
It can optimize storage, potentially reducing the Size on Disk for some files.
What does Size refer to when speaking about files?
Size refers to the actual amount of data a file contains.
Does a larger Size on Disk than Size always indicate wasted space?
Generally, it indicates storage inefficiency, but it's inherent to how disks allocate space.
Does the file system type impact Size on Disk?
Yes, different file systems have different allocation unit sizes which can influence Size on Disk.
How can I reduce the Size on Disk of a file?
Utilizing disk tools, choosing efficient file systems, or compressing files can help reduce their Size on Disk.
Is it beneficial to understand both Size and Size on Disk?
Absolutely, as it aids in assessing data content and storage efficiency.
Does Size impact how quickly a file can be transferred or shared?
Yes, typically a file's transfer speed is influenced by its Size.
Which value is more relevant for assessing available storage space?
Size on Disk is more relevant since it indicates the actual storage space utilized.
How does disk allocation work in relation to Size on Disk?
Disks allocate space in blocks/sectors, and even if a file doesn't use an entire block, it still occupies it, affecting Size on Disk.
Which value should I consider when backing up files?
Consider Size on Disk, as it reflects the storage space you'd need.
If I compress a file, will it affect both Size and Size on Disk?
Yes, compression reduces both the actual data Size and the Size on Disk.
Can the Size value be larger than Size on Disk?
Typically no, since Size on Disk accounts for the file size plus any additional allocation overhead.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
