# Why are there /meta/read charges in my billing? The `/meta/read` charges appear in your monthly billing, because Transloadit by default automatically extracts metadata from your uploaded files and other Steps. This is a standard part of file processing that helps enable features like using `${file.ext}`,`${file.name}`, and other metadata variables in your Assembly Instructions. ## How much do /meta/read charges cost? Metadata extraction costs **1% of the file size**. For example: * A 100 MB file would incur 1 MB in metadata extraction charges * A 1 GB file would incur 10 MB in metadata extraction charges ## How can I avoid /meta/read charges? You can opt out of automatic metadata extraction by adding `"output_meta": false` to your processingStep: ```json { "steps": { ":original": { "robot": "/upload/handle", "output_meta": false }, "resize": { "use": ":original", "robot": "/image/resize", "format": "jpg", "width": 200, "height": 200, "output_meta": false } } } ``` ## When should I keep metadata extraction enabled? Most processing Templates will require meta data extraction. It's important for: * letting Robots ignore file types they cannot handle * using file metadata variables in your Assembly Instructions (like `${file.ext}`, `${file.name}`,`${file.meta.width}`) * filtering files based on metadata properties * storing metadata tags with your files * generating dynamic file paths based on file properties Example that may not require metadata: ```json { "steps": { ":original": { "robot": "/upload/handle" }, "stored": { "use": ":original", "robot": "/s3/store", "path": "/uploads/${file.id}_${file.name}" } } } ``` ## When can I safely disable metadata extraction? You can disable metadata extraction when: * You don't use any file metadata variables in your Assembly * You're using fixed file paths and names * You don't need to filter or sort files based on their properties Example that doesn't need metadata (`fields` is provided when creating the Assembly): ```json { "steps": { "uploaded": { "robot": "/upload/handle", "output_meta": false }, "exported": { "use": "encoded", "robot": "/s3/store", "path": "${fields.output_path}" } } } ``` ## See also: [Will there be any surprises after I sign up?](/docs/faq/signup-surprises.md) [What do I get for one GB?](/docs/faq/one-gb.md) [How to rename files when exporting them to cloud storage?](/docs/faq/how-to-rename-files-during-export.md)