---
id: mac-storage-basics.what-is-quick-look-cache
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/what-is-quick-look-cache
category: "Mac storage basics"
subcategory: "Caches, logs and temporary files"
question: "What are Quick Look thumbnails, and can I clear them?"
alt_questions:
  - "quick look cache mac"
  - "thumbnail cache mac size"
  - "clear quicklook cache"
  - "qlmanage reset cache"
  - "finder thumbnails taking space"
short_answer: "A cache of file previews and icons for Finder and Quick Look. It's safe to reset with qlmanage -r cache in Terminal; thumbnails rebuild as you browse."
tags: ["quick look", "caches", "finder"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/is-it-safe-to-delete-caches-on-a-mac"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# What are Quick Look thumbnails, and can I clear them?

Finder and Quick Look keep a cache of thumbnails and previews so icons and previews appear instantly. It's usually small, though it can grow on Macs with huge media folders.

It's safe to reset: in Terminal, `qlmanage -r cache` clears it, and thumbnails are rebuilt as you browse. Expect icons to redraw slowly for a little while afterwards.