Find your memory amount in three clicks

Your computer's memory — also called RAM — is the workspace your programs use while they're running. The more memory you have, the more things you can do at once without slowdown. You can find out exactly how much you have in under a minute, and the steps differ slightly depending on whether you use Windows or Mac.

Memory is different from storage. Storage is the hard drive space where your files live permanently. Memory is the temporary space your computer uses right now, and it empties when you shut down. Checking memory takes just a few clicks and requires no special tools.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, right-click "This PC" or "My Computer" on your desktop, select Properties, and look for the RAM amount listed under System.
  • On Mac, click the Apple menu in the top-left corner, select About This Mac, and read the Memory line in the window that opens.
  • Memory is measured in gigabytes (GB), and most modern computers have between 4 GB and 16 GB.
  • If you have less than 4 GB, your computer will struggle when you open multiple programs or browser tabs at once.

Check memory on Windows

The fastest way on Windows is through the System Properties window. Look for an icon labeled "This PC" or "My Computer" on your desktop — it usually looks like a folder with a computer symbol. Right-click it and select Properties from the menu that appears.

A window will open showing your system information. Look for the line that says "Installed RAM" — that number is your total memory. It will be listed in gigabytes, written as "GB". For example, you might see "8 GB RAM" or "16 GB RAM". This is the amount your computer has available right now.

If you don't see "This PC" on your desktop, you can reach the same window another way. Press the Windows key and the letter R at the same time to open the Run dialog. Type sysdm.cpl and press Enter. The System Properties window will open, and you'll see the RAM listed under the General tab.

Check memory on Mac

On a Mac, click the Apple menu in the very top-left corner of your screen — it's the black apple symbol. A dropdown menu will appear. Select About This Mac from the list.

A window titled "About This Mac" will open. The second line in that window says "Memory:" followed by a number and "GB". That number is your total RAM. For example, you might see "Memory: 8 GB" or "Memory: 16 GB". Close the window when you're done — you don't need to change anything.

What your memory number means

Memory is measured in gigabytes, abbreviated as GB. One gigabyte equals 1,024 megabytes. Common amounts you'll see are 4 GB, 8 GB, 16 GB, and 32 GB. The higher the number, the more programs and browser tabs you can have open at the same time without your computer slowing down.

If you have 4 GB or less, your computer will likely feel slow when you open more than a few programs or many browser tabs. If you have 8 GB, you can comfortably use most everyday programs and keep 10 to 20 browser tabs open. If you have 16 GB or more, you can run demanding programs like video editing software or have dozens of browser tabs open without noticeable slowdown.

The amount of memory you actually need depends on what you do. Basic web browsing, email, and word processing work fine on 4 GB. If you regularly work with photos, video, or spreadsheets, or if you keep many browser tabs open, 8 GB is more comfortable. Video editing, graphic design, or running virtual machines benefit from 16 GB or more.

Check how much memory you're actually using right now

Knowing your total memory is useful, but you might also want to see how much you're using at this moment. On Windows, right-click your taskbar at the bottom of the screen and select Task Manager. Click the Performance tab at the top. You'll see a section labeled Memory showing how much of your total RAM is in use right now.

On Mac, open Spotlight by pressing Command and the spacebar together. Type Activity Monitor and press Enter. Click the Memory tab at the top. Look at the line labeled "Memory Used" to see how much of your total RAM is currently in use. The number next to "Swap Used" shows how much your computer is borrowing from your hard drive because it ran out of RAM — if this number is large, your computer is struggling and you may need more memory.

When to consider adding more memory

If you checked your memory and found you have 4 GB or less, and your computer feels slow when you use it, adding more memory can help. Memory is one of the easiest and least expensive upgrades you can make. On most desktop computers, you can add more RAM yourself in a few minutes. On laptops, it's sometimes possible but varies by model — check your laptop's manual or manufacturer website to see if it's upgradeable.

Before you buy more memory, check what type your computer uses. The two main types are DDR4 and DDR5, and they're not interchangeable. Your computer's manual or the manufacturer's website will tell you which type you need. You can also take your computer to a local repair shop and they can tell you what type you have and install more for you if you prefer not to do it yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 8 GB of memory enough?

For most people doing everyday tasks like browsing, email, and word processing, 8 GB is comfortable. If you keep many browser tabs open, work with photos, or use multiple programs at once, 8 GB works well. If you do video editing, graphic design, or programming, 16 GB is better.

What's the difference between memory and storage?

Memory (RAM) is temporary workspace your computer uses while programs are running — it empties when you shut down. Storage is your hard drive, where files stay permanently. You need enough of both, but they serve different purposes. A computer might have 8 GB of memory and 256 GB of storage.

Can I add more memory to my laptop?

Some laptops allow you to add more memory, but many modern laptops have memory soldered directly to the motherboard and cannot be upgraded. Check your laptop's manual or the manufacturer's website to see if yours is upgradeable. If it's not, you'd need to replace the entire computer to get more memory.

Why does my computer show less memory than I bought?

If you bought 16 GB but your computer shows 15 GB or 15.5 GB, that's normal. Your operating system and some hardware reserve a small portion of your memory for their own use, so you don't have access to all of it. The difference is usually less than 1 GB and is not a problem.

Does restarting my computer free up memory?

Yes. When you restart, all running programs close and your memory empties completely. If your computer feels slow, restarting often helps because it clears out memory that programs were using. However, if your computer is slow even right after a restart, you likely don't have enough total memory for what you're doing.