Developer Tools

How to Completely Uninstall Node.js / npm on Mac

To uninstall Node.js / npm completely, you must manually remove associated libraries and cache folders since dragging the app to the Trash does not delete them. These remaining files typically occupy between 500 MB – 20 GB.

Last updated: November 1, 20263 min read

Remove Node.js / npm and everything it leaves behind

Node.js / npm data usually takes 500 MB – 20 GB on a Mac. The free scan shows the exact size on your Mac before you change anything.

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Free scan · No account · Nothing is deleted without your OK · Moves to the Trash first · macOS 14+

Application: Node.js / npm
Typical data size: 500 MB – 20 GB
Category: Developer Tools
File Location: ~/.npm

Manual cleanup steps

Quit the app completely (⌘+Q in the menu bar).
Move Node.js / npm from the Applications folder to the Trash.
Remove the folders Node.js / npm left behind, listed in the table below.
Empty the Trash to free up the space.

Everything Node.js / npm keeps on your Mac

4 locations. Tick each one as you remove it; back up anything marked as your data first.

~/.npm Cache · npm cache, npx packages and logs Yes, rebuilt automatically~/.npm/_cacache Cache · content-addressable package cache Yes, rebuilt automatically~/.npm/_npx Cache · packages downloaded by npx Yes, rebuilt automatically~/.npm/_logs Logs · debug logs of npm commands Yes, rebuilt automatically/usr/local/lib/node_modules App data · global packages with the official Node installer Yes, once the app is gone/opt/homebrew/lib/node_modules App data · global packages with Homebrew's Node on Apple silicon Yes, once the app is gone~/Library/Caches/node-gyp Cache · Node headers downloaded to build native modules Yes, rebuilt automatically

Locations checked on a Mac with Node.js / npm installed.

What Node.js / npm leaves behind

Specific to Node.js / npm

Removing the main application leaves behind global packages, debug logs, and header files. It also retains the download cache, which is rebuilt automatically upon reinstallation. Because these reside in system directories like /usr/local/lib/node_modules or hidden library folders, they remain on your disk until deleted separately.

Background items: Global packages are installed into the Node prefix, which depends on how Node was installed (official installer, Homebrew, nvm).
License: Node.js and npm are free and open source.
Account and sync: An npm account is only needed to publish packages; the token is stored in ~/.npmrc.

Preparing to remove Node.js / npm

Before deletion, identify which global tools you have installed to facilitate future setups. Ensure you back up authentication tokens used for publishing packages. Note that project dependencies located in individual node_modules folders are separate from the global installation and will stay on your drive.

Run 'npm ls -g' to list all installed global packagesSave your .npmrc file if it contains required registry settings or tokensQuit the app before removing its files

0 of 3 done

By hand or with OptiClear

	By hand	With OptiClear
Places to check	4 folders, one by one	One scan
File sizes	You look them up yourself	Shown for every item
Removing the wrong thing	Easy to delete the wrong folder	Goes to the Trash first, so it can be restored
Cost	Free	Scan is free; cleaning needs Pro (yearly plan has a 7-day free trial)

See it working

OptiClear — Scan overview — every category on one screen — Scan overview — every category on one screen

OptiClear — Privacy audit: what each app has been allowed to reach — Privacy audit: what each app has been allowed to reach

OptiClear — Large and aging files, ranked by what they cost you — Large and aging files, ranked by what they cost you

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Frequently asked questions

Yes. Folders marked “Yes, rebuilt automatically” are rebuilt automatically; removing them only makes the next start slower. Items marked “Yes, once the app is gone” only matter while Node.js / npm is installed, so remove them after the app.

Will deleting the app remove the node_modules folders in my projects?

No, because project dependencies live inside each project folder rather than the global cache.

How do I access the hidden Library folder to find cached headers?

Use Finder > Go > Go to Folder to navigate to the hidden directory.