How to use tags in Finder on a Mac

2 min read · 7 steps · Updated 2 October 2026

A tag is a coloured label with a name, such as Red, Work or Tax 2026. One file can carry several tags and stays where it is. Tags are a way to collect files that belong together but live in different folders.

These steps are for recent versions of macOS.

Step by step

1. Tag a file in Finder

   Select the file, then Control-click it (or click with two fingers). Click a colour above Tags. For a tag with your own name, click Tags, type the name and press Return.

   Done

2. Use the toolbar or the keyboard

   With a file selected, click the Tag button in the Finder toolbar. Or press Control and a number from 1 to 7 to add or remove one of your favourite tags. Control + 0 removes all tags from the file.

   Done

3. Tag a file while saving

   In any app, choose File, Save. In the Save window, click the Tags field and choose a tag or type a new one.

   Done

4. Tag an open document

   Hold the pointer to the right of the document's title at the top of the window, click the arrow that appears, and click the Tags field.

   Done

5. Find tagged files

   Open a Finder window and click a tag in the sidebar. All files with that tag are listed, wherever they are stored. You can also type the tag name or colour into the search field and choose the tag from the suggestions.

   Done

6. Remove a tag from a file

   Control-click the file and click the coloured dot again, or click Tags, select the tag and press Delete.

   Done

7. Rename, recolour or delete tags

   In Finder, choose Finder, Settings, and click Tags. Here you rename tags, change their colours, choose which appear in the sidebar and delete tags you no longer want.

   Done

Good to know

Deleting a tag in Finder Settings removes it from every file. The files themselves are not deleted.

To sort a folder by tag, click the Group button in the toolbar and choose Tags.

Tags pair well with renaming files in bulk: how to rename several files at once on a Mac.

In short: Control-click a file and pick a colour or type a tag. Click the tag in the sidebar to find everything. Manage tags in Finder Settings.