Inodes (File usages) are one of the most important but often overlooked limits in web hosting. Many website owners face issues like email errors, upload failures, or account suspension without realizing that their inode usage has reached the maximum allowed limit. This detailed guide explains what inodes are, why they matter, how to check your file usage, and how different hosting plans set inode limits.
Understanding Inodes (File Usages)
In simple terms, an inode is a data structure that stores information about a file or directory on your hosting account. Every image, video, HTML page, PHP script, email, or folder you create consumes one inode. The total number of inodes equals the number of files and directories present in your hosting account. It doesn’t matter how large or small the file is—each one counts as a single inode.
What Happens When Inodes (File Usages) Limit is Reached?
If you exceed the maximum inode usage limit set by your hosting provider, your account will face restrictions. Common problems include:
- You cannot upload or create new files or folders.
- Incoming emails may bounce back or fail to deliver.
- Website performance and backups may be affected.
- In some cases, hosting providers may temporarily suspend accounts until inode usage is reduced.
That’s why monitoring inodes is just as important as tracking disk space or bandwidth.
How to Reduce Inodes (File Usages) Count?
Lowering your inode count is often easier than you think. Here are some effective methods:
- Delete unused emails: Old or spam emails take up thousands of inodes.
- Clear cache files: CMS platforms like WordPress generate cache and temporary files that increase inode usage.
- Remove old backups: Many users forget backups stored on the server, which consume inodes quickly.
- Uninstall unused plugins or themes: Each plugin and theme adds multiple files.
- Regular housekeeping: Remove test scripts, logs, and outdated files.
How to Check Your Inodes (File Usages) in cPanel?
Most hosting accounts provide easy access to inode statistics. To check your current inode usage:
- Log in to your cPanel account.
- On the sidebar, look for Inodes / File Usage.
- You will see the number of files used and the total limit allowed.
This helps you take timely action before reaching the maximum limit.
Inodes (File Usages) Limit in Shared Hosting Plans
Shared hosting accounts usually have fixed inode limits to ensure fair resource distribution among users. Below are the current limits:
- Starter Shared Hosting Plan: 250,000 inodes
- Premium Shared Hosting Plan: 270,000 inodes
- Business Shared Hosting Plan: 300,000 inodes
- Professional Shared Hosting Plan: 350,000 inodes
Exceeding these numbers may affect your ability to add new files, so it’s important to keep track regularly.
Inodes (File Usages) Limit in Reseller Hosting
All Reseller Hosting plans generally come with a limit of 250,000 inodes per account. Resellers should monitor their usage carefully because multiple websites under a single account can reach the limit faster.
Inodes (File Usages) Limit in VPS Hosting
Unlike shared hosting, VPS Hosting does not impose inode limits. Since resources are dedicated, you can manage your files and directories without restrictions. However, best practices like cleaning junk files are still recommended to maintain optimal performance.
Inodes (File Usages) Limit in Dedicated Servers
Dedicated server plans also have no inode limitations. You can store unlimited files and directories, depending on your server’s hardware and disk capacity. This makes dedicated servers ideal for large businesses, e-commerce stores, and applications with heavy file usage.
Final Thoughts on Inodes (File Usages)
Understanding inodes in web hosting is crucial for maintaining a healthy and smooth-running website. Exceeding inode limits can disrupt services, but by monitoring usage, cleaning unnecessary files, and choosing the right hosting plan, you can avoid problems. For growing websites, upgrading from shared hosting to VPS or a dedicated server ensures unlimited inode usage and greater flexibility.
