Permission & Access Issues

How to Access SharePoint Storage Metrics and View Site Usage

Huda Qurayshi Oct 16, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users need to find and navigate to the SharePoint Storage Metrics page to monitor how much storage space their site is using.

How to Access SharePoint Storage Metrics and View Site Usage

Product: Microsoft SharePoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Monitoring site storage usage or troubleshooting a full SharePoint site collection.
Observed behavior: The user wants to view storage metrics but may be unable to find the option if the Site Collection Administration section is missing from their Site Settings.

Before you start

Verify that your account has Site Collection Administrator privileges, as standard users and regular site owners will not see the storage management options.

Solution 1Recommended

Access Storage Metrics via Site Settings

This is the standard method for site administrators to check how much storage is being used by different document libraries, lists, and recycle bins.

SharePoint provides a detailed breakdown of your storage usage directly within the site settings. This allows administrators to identify which files or libraries are consuming the most space.

Open your SharePoint Site

Navigate to the homepage of the specific SharePoint site collection where you want to check the storage usage.

Go to Site Settings

Click the gear icon (Settings) located in the top-right corner of the screen, then select 'Site Settings' from the dropdown menu. If you do not see 'Site Settings', click 'Site information' and then select 'View all site settings'.

Select Storage Metrics

Scroll down to locate the 'Site Collection Administration' section. Click on 'Storage Metrics' to view a detailed breakdown of your site's storage usage.

Access Storage Metrics via Site Settings

Drill down for details: Once on the Storage Metrics page, you can click on individual folders and document libraries to see exactly which files are taking up the most space.

Solution 2

Troubleshoot Missing Site Collection Administration Options

Use this solution if you follow the steps above but cannot find the Site Collection Administration section or the Storage Metrics link.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I see the Site Collection Administration section in SharePoint?

This section is only visible to users who have Site Collection Administrator privileges. If you are a standard member or only have owner rights for a subsite, this section will remain hidden. You need to request elevated access from your IT department.

Does the SharePoint Recycle Bin count towards my site storage limit?

Yes, items stored in both the first-stage (site) and second-stage (site collection) recycle bins count against your overall SharePoint site storage quota. Emptying these bins can quickly free up storage space.

How can I increase my SharePoint site storage limit?

Storage limits are managed at the tenant level in the SharePoint Admin Center. If your site has reached its capacity, you will need to contact your Microsoft 365 Global Administrator or SharePoint Administrator to allocate more storage space to your specific site collection.

Document & File Issues