How do I get the full path for a file in finder?

Question

I look for a file in finder, finder finds it. But, I'd like to find it's full path. How do I do that?

Yeah, it shouldn't be this complicated. Apple loves to hide things from us so that we are more dependent on their gadgets. For another example, see how difficult it is to actually see someone's phone number when you or they call. — JL Peyret, Jul 01 '22 at 16:05

ijoseph · Answer 1 · 2021-12-08T00:46:06.603

75

⌥ ⌘ c while file is highlighted to copy its path to the macOS clipboard.

(option-command-c)

Easier than all of these by a long shot, IMO.

edited Dec 08 '21 at 00:46

answered Jan 10 '19 at 02:06

ijoseph

1,717

that's a nice extra to know, but you forgot to mention that this only copies it to the macos clipboard – 40detectives Dec 07 '21 at 09:24

score 73 · Accepted Answer · answered Jul 19 '13 at 13:05

73

You can also enter the following in Terminal:

defaults write com.apple.finder _FXShowPosixPathInTitle -bool YES
then
killall Finder

This will display the full path in the titlebar.

path

to turn it back off change the -bool YES to NO

Or if you want to copy the text of the path you can drag the file into Terminal.

answered Jul 19 '13 at 13:05

hoss

2,557

1

Thanks. This is exactly the kind of thing that should be an option in the "Show View Options" dialog or finder preferences. – John Oct 21 '21 at 15:41
4

How can I copy the path? – GoingMyWay Nov 04 '21 at 01:53
This is so ridiculous... Are you self aware ? "Apple, different to be different." – Pogrindis Feb 11 '24 at 02:32

score 20 · Answer 3 · answered Jul 19 '13 at 12:50

20

There are a few ways:

Right-click the folder name in the top of the window
In the Finder choose "View > Show Path Bar"
Use Go2Shell to open a terminal window at that location

answered Jul 19 '13 at 12:50

Dave Nelson

5,068
1
17
15

I cannot see the View option, I have no menu bar. Any help? – Breako Breako Jul 19 '13 at 13:01
2

The menu bar I am referring to is at the top of the screen. It begins with the Apple icon, then Finder, File, Edit, View, Go, Window, and Help. If that menu bar is not visible you have much larger problems. – Dave Nelson Jul 19 '13 at 21:06
1

@DaveNelson, This doesn't show the real full Unix path though – Pacerier Aug 22 '17 at 04:20
1

This even works in 2023, 10 years later. Awesome :) – Hugh Perkins Jan 16 '23 at 21:19

score 19 · Answer 4 · answered Jul 19 '13 at 15:43

19

Command-C on the file to copy, and Command-V on the command line in Terminal. Or drag the file to the Terminal window

answered Jul 19 '13 at 15:43

Kevin

4,142

I use drag all the time, didn't know pasting actually pasted the path in Terminal, thanks! – v01pe Sep 12 '20 at 08:53
this only got me the file name, not the path. – JL Peyret Jul 01 '22 at 16:07

score 9 · Answer 5 · answered Apr 16 '20 at 21:05

9

In Finder...

Select a file
Choose "View > Show Path Bar"
Right-click the Path Bar file name (or file icon)
Select "Copy as Pathname"
Paste the Pathname where you desire

answered Apr 16 '20 at 21:05

Sean M

191

just want to add that at least in recent versions of macOS (tried in Big Sur >11.6) there is a shortcut for this and is the nicest way to get the path: ⌥ ⌘ P – 40detectives Dec 07 '21 at 09:27

score 4 · Answer 6 · answered Jul 19 '13 at 13:40

4

You can right click on it and select "get info" and it should be written in the window that will pop the full path of the folder.

answered Jul 19 '13 at 13:40

user2482876

385

somebody4 · Answer 7 · 2023-01-11T03:21:41.827

2

Install the FinderPath app

https://bahoom.com/finderpath/

It shows the full address when you click the title in Finder

Works just like Windows

Still works on MacOS 13.1

edited Jan 11 '23 at 03:21

answered Aug 10 '21 at 02:20

somebody4

121

score 0 · Answer 8 · answered Oct 08 '20 at 13:08

0

Right click the file and press info. Then you will get the file path infront of where.

More Info

answered Oct 08 '20 at 13:08

Asbar Ali

101

We are looking for answers which stand for their own and don't send people off-site for essential details. Also, did you read the other answers, especially https://apple.stackexchange.com/a/96742/9058? – nohillside Oct 08 '20 at 13:19

score 0 · Answer 9 · edited Nov 24 '23 at 04:12

0

On Ventura 14, there's a menu option under View (Opt+Ctrl+P) and then you see the entire path at the bottom of the window. Combine that with Cmd+Shift+. to see hidden files and you're all set. These settings persist after restart.

Note that the option under View does not appear (at least on my setup) unless you've first opened a Finder window.

edited Nov 24 '23 at 04:12

agarza

2,274

answered Nov 23 '23 at 18:13

Ed Roberts

101

How do I get the full path for a file in finder?

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