---
title: "What is the go/pkg/mod folder on Mac? (Go)"
description: "What is go/pkg/mod on a Mac? It belongs to Go. What’s inside, how big it gets (1 – 20 GB), whether it’s safe to delete, and how to shrink it."
url: https://tidymac.space/folders/go-module-cache/
updated: 2026-10-16
---

[Home](/) [Folders](/folders/) go/pkg/mod

# What is the go/pkg/mod folder on my Mac?

It belongs to **Go**. Here’s what’s inside and the right way to deal with it.

SafeUsually 1 – 20 GBUpdated October 2, 2026By the Tidy Mac team

Short answer

Go keeps downloaded modules in ~/go/pkg/mod and compiled build output in ~/Library/Caches/go-build. Both are caches. Go makes module files read-only, which is why dragging them to the Trash often fails; Go’s own clean commands remove them properly.

**Location:** `~/go/pkg/mod · ~/Library/Caches/go-build`

## What’s inside

-   Downloaded module sources (read-only)
-   Build cache of compiled packages

**Our verdict: Safe.** Your Mac or your apps recreate this automatically. Removing it won’t lose anything you made.

## The Go way

```
go clean -modcache
go clean -cache
```

The first removes downloaded modules, the second the build cache.

![](/img/brand/tidy-128.png)

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## Frequently asked questions

Can I delete go/pkg/mod?

Safe: Your Mac or your apps recreate this automatically. Removing it won’t lose anything you made. Go keeps downloaded modules in ~/go/pkg/mod and compiled build output in ~/Library/Caches/go-build. Both are caches. Go makes module files read-only, which is why dragging them to the Trash often fails; Go’s own clean commands remove them properly.

Where is go/pkg/mod on my Mac?

~/go/pkg/mod · ~/Library/Caches/go-build. In Finder choose Go › Go to Folder and paste the path.

How big does go/pkg/mod get?

Usually 1 – 20 GB.

## Keep reading

[What is Caches/org.swift.swiftpm?Swift Package Manager / Xcode](/folders/swiftpm-cache/)[What is Caches/CocoaPods?CocoaPods](/folders/cocoapods-cache/)[What is .pub-cache?Flutter / Dart](/folders/pub-cache/)[What is Caches/deno?Deno](/folders/deno-cache/)

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#### On this page

[What’s inside](#whats-inside)[The Go way](#the-go-way)[FAQ](#faq)

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