How much Google Drive storage is free?

15 GB with a personal Google account, shared between Drive, Gmail and Google Photos. Paid plans add more.

Do Google Docs count against storage?

Yes. Docs, Sheets and Slides files created or edited since June 2021 count toward your storage, though they are usually small. Uploaded videos and photos use far more.

Can I edit Word or Excel files in Drive?

Yes. You can open and edit .docx and .xlsx files in Docs and Sheets, either in their original format or converted to Google format.

What is Google Drive?

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Quick answer

Google Drive is Google’s cloud storage. It holds uploaded files such as PDFs and photos, and it is where every Google Doc, Sheet and Slides file lives. Your own files sit in My Drive, files others share with you appear under Shared with me, and team files can live in shared drives.

Last updated October 22, 2026

Updated October 22, 2026 · By Robert Breen

Why it matters

Files in Drive are backed up, open on any device and can be shared as a link. That ends the problem of a file living only on one laptop, and of five slightly different copies circulating by email.

Drive also decides ownership. Who owns a file controls who can delete it or change its sharing permissions, which matters the day the owner leaves.

A worked example

A wedding photographer keeps a Drive folder per couple, with the contract (a Google Doc), the shot list (a Sheet) and a subfolder of uploaded photos. She shares the folder with the couple as Viewer, so they can download photos but cannot delete anything.

A bride asks for an extra copy of the contract months later. Instead of searching her email, the photographer opens Drive, searches the couple’s name and sends the link in 20 seconds.

Often confused with

My Drive vs shared drive

My Drive belongs to you. A shared drive belongs to a team on a paid Workspace plan, so files stay when people leave.

"Shared with me" vs your files

Files under Shared with me are owned by someone else. If they delete a file or remove your access, it disappears from your list.

Google Drive vs Google Docs

Docs is the word processor. Drive is where the Doc file is stored and organized.

Tips

Organize by client or project, with a folder for each.
Use search (it reads text inside files) rather than deep folder trees.
Check "Shared with me" before deleting a file you think is yours.

Shared drive Sharing permissions (Viewer, Commenter, Editor)Google Workspace Version history (Google Docs, Sheets, Slides)

Learn it in a free lesson

Google Workspace Explained: Apps, Drive, Sharing, Free vs Paid (about 8 minutes)
Gemini in Google Workspace for Beginners: Sheets, Gmail, Docs (about 12 minutes)

Related in the AI glossary

Shared link

Sources

Written from these official help pages. Menus change, so if a button has moved, the help page has the current wording.

Frequently asked questions

How much Google Drive storage is free?: 15 GB with a personal Google account, shared between Drive, Gmail and Google Photos. Paid plans add more.
Do Google Docs count against storage?: Yes. Docs, Sheets and Slides files created or edited since June 2021 count toward your storage, though they are usually small. Uploaded videos and photos use far more.
Can I edit Word or Excel files in Drive?: Yes. You can open and edit .docx and .xlsx files in Docs and Sheets, either in their original format or converted to Google format.

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