Read a File's Spotlight Metadata with mdls

Dump every indexed attribute of any file: EXIF, dimensions, duration, authors, content types.

macOSmetadatamdlsphotosspotlightLow risk

Run `mdls <file>` to list all metadata attributes, or `mdls -name kMDItemPixelWidth <file>` for a single value.

01Command

Command

$ mdls -name kMDItemContentCreationDate IMG_0001.jpg

02What it does

mdls reads exactly what Spotlight indexes, so it shows the attributes mdfind queries against — camera model, ISO, audio codec, PDF page count, and dozens more depending on file type. It's the quickest way to verify why a file does or doesn't match a Spotlight search, or to script metadata-driven sorting. If a file shows no metadata, it isn't indexed yet; run `mdimport <file>`.

03Risk

RiskLow risk

04Undo

✓No undo needed — this command does not change persistent state.

05Sources

macOS mdls — display Spotlight metadata attributes
SS64 · technical · 2026-09-17
Evidence: Documents mdls attribute listing and -name filtering per file.

Last verified: 2026-09-17 · Category: Files & Folders

06Related solutions

Query Spotlight's Raw Syntax with mdfind

macOSmetadatasearchmdfind

Use kMDItem attributes to search file metadata the Spotlight UI can't express, faster than find ever will.

Low risk ✓ 2026-09-17