FAT16FAT32

FAT16FAT32 is a reference to two related variants of the File Allocation Table (FAT) file system used on DOS, Windows, and many devices. FAT16 and FAT32 share a common heritage but differ in how they address storage and manage files, making them widely compatible with a broad range of hardware and operating systems.

FAT16 uses 16-bit cluster numbers, which limits the number of clusters and thus the practical size of a volume and the files it can hold. In typical configurations this confines FAT16 volumes to roughly 2 gigabytes, and individual files are constrained accordingly. In addition, the FAT16 root directory has a fixed location and size, which constrains the total capacity of the volume and can limit performance on larger partitions.

FAT32 expands addressing to a much larger space by using 28-bit cluster numbers. This removes the fixed-root-directory limitation and enables much larger volumes and files. FAT32 also supports long filenames through the VFAT extension, improving compatibility with modern naming conventions. In practice, FAT32 volumes can be much larger than FAT16, and the typical file size limit is about 4 gigabytes minus 1 byte, reflecting the way file sizes are stored in directory entries.

Comparisons and trade-offs: FAT32 offers greater capacity and better usability for large partitions and modern file names, but it remains non-journaling and lacks advanced features found in newer file systems, which can impact reliability and feature set for critical data. FAT16 remains broadly compatible with older hardware and software but is limited in capacity and efficiency on contemporary devices.

Usage notes: The broad compatibility of FAT16 and FAT32 makes them common on removable media and embedded devices. For newer deployments or larger disks, exFAT or NTFS are often preferred due to improved performance, reliability, and features.