# How to Remove Ollama Models and Free Up Disk Space

> Delete unused Ollama models with ollama rm, or use MangoDisk to check storage and clear an entire model library you no longer need. Keep the models you still use.

A new model comes out, so you download it. Then you try a larger version. A few weeks later, you're only using one or two, but all the others are still on your drive. Quitting Ollama doesn't remove those files.

**You don't need to uninstall Ollama to reclaim that space. Use ollama rm to remove individual models. Use MangoDisk to see how much space your local AI tools use, or to clear a whole model library you no longer need.**

## Find the model libraries taking up space

Ollama, LM Studio, and Hugging Face store models in different places. After trying a few tools, it's easy to lose track of what you've downloaded.

Run MangoDisk's [Deep Cleanup](/docs/features/deep-clean), then look under **AI models and caches** for **Ollama local model library**. You can check its path and size alongside other supported AI tools instead of hunting through hidden folders. Scanning doesn't delete anything, and AI model entries are unchecked by default.

![MangoDisk Deep Cleanup showing storage usage by category](https://assets.mangodisk.app/images/screenshots/windows/en/light-01-deep-cleanup.jpg)

If you still use some of your Ollama models, leave the whole-library cleanup option unchecked and remove individual models as described below. Clearing the entire library is for when you no longer need any of it.

## Still using Ollama? Remove only the models you don't need

Open PowerShell on Windows or Terminal on macOS. First, list your installed models:

```bash
ollama ls
```

Check the `NAME` and `SIZE` columns. Pay attention to the tag after the name: different versions of the same model can appear as separate entries.

Finish any related conversations, downloads, and tasks. Replace `MODEL_NAME` below with the full name from the list, including the tag after the colon, then run:

```bash
ollama rm MODEL_NAME
```

This is [Ollama's official removal command](https://docs.ollama.com/cli). It doesn't uninstall the Ollama application, but it deletes the model without sending it to the Recycle Bin or Trash. You'll need to download it again to use it later. For imported or custom models you can't simply download again, keep the original files and the configuration used to create them first.

Run `ollama ls` again to confirm the entry is gone. `ollama stop` is different: it unloads a model from memory, not from your drive.

Some models share files, so removing one may free less space than its listed size. Don't start deleting files inside `blobs` to make up the difference. Other models may still need them. [Ollama's cleanup code](https://github.com/ollama/ollama/blob/main/server/images.go) keeps files that other models still reference.

## Clear a model library you no longer use

If you've switched tools or stopped running local models on this computer, you don't have to remove every model by name.

Before cleaning up with MangoDisk:

1. Finish model downloads and related tasks, then quit Ollama and any applications using it.
2. Expand the Ollama model library entry. Check the path and make sure you no longer need any models stored there.
3. Deselect other cleanup items, select only the library you've checked, and confirm the cleanup.

**This removes the entire selected model library. It doesn't automatically pick out unused models, and deletion bypasses the Recycle Bin or Trash.** To use those models again, you'll need to download them. Back up or keep any custom models, models needed offline, or personal files in that folder. See the [cleanup safety guide](/docs/safety) for recovery limits.

MangoDisk puts scattered model libraries and caches in one place so you can compare what to keep and what to remove. You can reclaim storage without uninstalling the AI tools you still want to use.

## Changed the model location? Check that drive too

Ollama normally stores models here:

<table>
<thead>
  <tr>
    <th>
      System
    </th>
    
    <th>
      Default model folder
    </th>
  </tr>
</thead>

<tbody>
  <tr>
    <td>
      Windows
    </td>
    
    <td>
      <code>
        %USERPROFILE%\.ollama\models
      </code>
    </td>
  </tr>
  
  <tr>
    <td>
      macOS
    </td>
    
    <td>
      <code>
        ~/.ollama/models
      </code>
    </td>
  </tr>
</tbody>
</table>

If you set `OLLAMA_MODELS`, use the directory you configured instead. MangoDisk may not receive the same custom environment settings as Ollama, so a missing scan result doesn't mean the folder is empty. See the [Ollama storage FAQ](https://docs.ollama.com/faq#where-are-models-stored) for the default paths and configuration.

Forgot where you saved things? Use MangoDisk's [Disk Space Analysis](/docs/features/disk-analysis) to scan that drive or your usual download folder. Larger rectangles mean more space used. Open the biggest ones to inspect their files and paths before deciding what to keep.

![MangoDisk Disk Space Analysis displaying folders and files as a treemap](https://assets.mangodisk.app/images/screenshots/windows/en/light-05-disk-space-analysis.jpg)

You may also find separately downloaded GGUF files or old installers that `ollama rm` doesn't manage. Keep model files that other tools still use; remove only copies you've confirmed you no longer need.

[Download MangoDisk](/) to find out which AI models are still occupying your drive. Available for Windows and macOS. Free and open source, with no signup or login.

Related: [Find large files on Windows](/blog/find-large-files-windows-11) · [Find large files on Mac](/blog/find-large-files-on-mac) · [Developer cleanup guides](/blog/topics/developer-cleanup)