Query Spotlight's Raw Syntax with mdfind

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

macOSmetadatasearchmdfindspotlightLow risk

Run `mdfind 'kMDItemAuthor == "Jane"'` or combine attributes like `kMDItemPixelWidth > 4000` to search raw metadata instantly.

01Command

Command

$ mdfind 'kMDItemPixelWidth > 4000 && kMDItemContentTypeTree == "public.image"'

02What it does

mdfind queries the Spotlight index directly, so results return in milliseconds even across millions of files. The raw predicate language exposes hundreds of kMDItem attributes: content types, EXIF dimensions, PDF authors, ISO dates. Add -onlyin to scope a folder and -live to watch matches change in real time; use `mdimport -t -d2` to debug why a file isn't matching.

03Risk

RiskLow risk

04Undo

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

05Sources

macOS mdfind — find files by raw Spotlight query
SS64 · technical · 2026-09-17
Evidence: Documents mdfind's raw query strings, -onlyin, -name and -live flags.

Last verified: 2026-09-17 · Category: System & Settings

06Related solutions

Read a File's Spotlight Metadata with mdls

macOSmetadatamdlsphotos

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

Low risk ✓ 2026-09-17