---
id: mac-storage-basics.what-takes-up-space-in-video-editing
url: https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/what-takes-up-space-in-video-editing
category: "Mac storage basics"
subcategory: "Photos, music and video"
question: "Why do video projects fill up my Mac so quickly?"
alt_questions:
  - "video editing storage mac full"
  - "4k video taking space mac"
  - "how much space does video take"
  - "editing video on macbook storage"
  - "project files huge video"
short_answer: "Editing multiplies footage into imported copies, render and proxy files, caches and multiple exports. Work from an external SSD and clear generated files from finished projects."
tags: ["video", "editing", "external drive"]
related: ["https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/how-do-i-free-space-from-final-cut-pro-libraries", "https://storagestudio.us/faq/mac-storage-basics/is-an-external-ssd-a-good-way-to-add-storage"]
applies_to: "all"
last_reviewed: 2026-10-01
---

# Why do video projects fill up my Mac so quickly?

Video is big by nature, and editing multiplies it: the original footage, imported copies, render files, proxy and optimised media, exports in several versions, and cache files from the editing app.

Ways to keep it under control:

- Store footage and libraries on a fast external SSD while you work.
- Clear generated or render files from finished projects.
- Delete intermediate exports once you have the final one.
- Archive completed projects to a separate drive.

Storage Studio is designed for exactly this shuffle — moving big project folders to an external drive and back with links left behind. See [moving folders](https://storagestudio.us/faq/moving-folders/).