File getFreeSpace() method in Java with examples

Last Updated : 11 Jul, 2025

The getFreeSpace() function is a part of File class in Java. This function returns the unallocated size of the partition denoted by the abstract pathname, if the pathname does not exist then it returns 0L. This function gives a hint of the unallocated space of the partition but does not give any guarantee that the exact number of bytes are free. An error might be caused if an external application writes to the specified file, then the write operation might not succeed. Function signature:

public long getFreeSpace()

Syntax:

long var = file.getFreeSpace();

Parameters: This method does not accept any parameter. Return Value: The function returns long data type represents unallocated size of the partition in bytes Exception: This method throws SecurityException if the method does not allow file to be created Below programs illustrates the use of getFreeSpace() function: Example 1: The file "F:\\program.txt" is a existing file in F: Directory .

Java

// Java program to demonstrate // getFreeSpace() method of File Class import java.io.*; public class solution {  public static void main(String args[])  {  // Create an abstract pathname (File object)  File f = new File("F:\\program.txt");  // Display the free size of the partition  // using the getFreeSpace() function  System.out.println("Free Space: "  + f.getFreeSpace());  } }

Output:

Free Space: 174491860992

Example 2: The file "F:\\program1.txt" does not exist file in F: Directory .

Java

// Java program to demonstrate // getFreeSpace() method of File Class import java.io.*; public class solution {  public static void main(String args[])  {  // Create an abstract pathname (File object)  File f = new File("F:\\program1.txt");  // Display the free size of the partition  // using the getFreeSpace() function  System.out.println("Free Space: "  + f.getFreeSpace());  } }