<p>The cumulative filesize of the bitcoind/bitcoin-qt directory has been a source of confusion since the introduction of v0.8 because it <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hard_link" rel="nofollow">hardlinks</a> multiple files within the directory. Briefly, two files point to the same data on the disk. So if you sum the size of the files, you don't get the total amount of data actually on the disk. In this manner, you can put 10GB of files on a 1GB USB, for example. </p>

<p><strong>Can I resume a blockchain download?</strong></p>

<p>Yes, absolutely</p>

<p><strong>Is blockchain.info is updated?</strong></p>

<p>Currently, yes.</p>

<p><strong>Is the size of the bitcoin data directory easy to understand</strong></p>

<p>Somewhat, you need to understand hardlinks. Your OS might double count some files, leading to confusion.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-03-31T21:26:21.163Z
2013-03-31T21:26:21.163Z
Streblo
<p>I was running <code>bitcoind</code> from my <code>Linux</code> box. I stopped the command when <code>~/.bitcoin</code> size was about <code>5.8GB</code>.</p>

<p>Today I started the daemon again. <code>~/.bitcoin</code> size is now <code>7.2GB</code>. Here is says that the blockchain weight about <code>6GB</code>: <a href="http://blockchain.info/charts/blocks-size" rel="nofollow">http://blockchain.info/charts/blocks-size</a>.</p>

<p>Is that webpage wrong? Maybe <code>bitcoind</code> is downloading everything again and mixing both downloaded block, thus increasing the size to more than the stats at blockchain says.</p>

<p>A call to <code>getblockcount</code> returns: <strong>225531</strong></p>

<p><strong>EDIT:</strong> I've found the total blocks count here: <code>http://blockexplorer.com/q/getblockcount</code> (228972). I guess blockchain.info is not updated.</p>

<blockchain><bitcoind><linux>
Are hardlinks responsible for the bitcoin data directory appearing larger than expected?
jviotti
# Are hardlinks responsible for the bitcoin data directory appearing larger than expected?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2013-03-31)

I was running `bitcoind` from my `Linux` box. I stopped the command when `~/.bitcoin` size was about `5.8GB`.

Today I started the daemon again. `~/.bitcoin` size is now `7.2GB`. Here is says that the blockchain weight about `6GB`: <http://blockchain.info/charts/blocks-size>.

Is that webpage wrong? Maybe `bitcoind` is downloading everything again and mixing both downloaded block, thus increasing the size to more than the stats at blockchain says.

A call to `getblockcount` returns: **225531**

**EDIT:** I've found the total blocks count here: `http://blockexplorer.com/q/getblockcount` (228972). I guess blockchain.info is not updated.

**Tags:** blockchain, bitcoind, linux


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2013-03-31. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

The cumulative filesize of the bitcoind/bitcoin-qt directory has been a source of confusion since the introduction of v0.8 because it [hardlinks](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hard_link) multiple files within the directory. Briefly, two files point to the same data on the disk. So if you sum the size of the files, you don't get the total amount of data actually on the disk. In this manner, you can put 10GB of files on a 1GB USB, for example.

**Can I resume a blockchain download?**

Yes, absolutely

**Is blockchain.info is updated?**

Currently, yes.

**Is the size of the bitcoin data directory easy to understand**

Somewhat, you need to understand hardlinks. Your OS might double count some files, leading to confusion.


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