Where Does Homebrew Install Packages on Mac?
Homebrew prefix on Apple Silicon versus Intel Macs, plus Cellar, Caskroom and the brew binary itself.
Last updated
Homebrew uses different install roots per chip. Apple Silicon Macs use /opt/homebrew. Intel Macs use /usr/local. Bottles assume these defaults, so custom prefixes break more often.
Packages themselves live in Cellar under the prefix, with GUI apps linked through Caskroom. Run brew with the prefix flag to print yours instead of guessing.
Where macOS stores this, by platform
/opt/homebrew
Apple Silicon default. Intel Macs use /usr/local instead. Binaries link into bin under the prefix, packages into Cellar, GUI apps into Caskroom.
Frequently asked questions
How do I confirm my Homebrew prefix?
Run brew with its prefix flag in Terminal. It prints the root Homebrew is actually using on that machine.
Why do guides disagree on /opt/homebrew versus /usr/local?
They were written for different chips. Apple Silicon guides use /opt/homebrew; older Intel guides use /usr/local. Mixing the two in one PATH causes odd duplicate installs.
Notice an outdated path? Let us know.