1

                                                                      Exhibit 23

               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS



We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements
(Form S-3 No. 333-93051, Form S-3/A No. 333-81263, Form S-3 No. 333-47512, Form
S-3DPOS No. 333-81263, and Form S-8 Nos. 333-47610, 333-84567, 333-48867,
333-31297, 333-23095, 333-06081, 33-62543, 33-80594, 33-53432, 33-45469,
33-41945, 33-25230, 33-19851 and 33-16625) pertaining to the 1995 Management
Stock Option Plan, the 1996 Non-Employees Directors' Stock Option Plan, the 1996
Equity Incentive Plan, the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, the Komag Incorporated
Deferred Compensation Plan, the Komag, Incorporated Restated 1987 Stock Option
Plan, the Komag Material Technology, Inc. 1995 Stock Option Plan, the Komag,
Incorporated Employee Stock Purchase Plan, the Komag, Incorporated Restated 1987
Stock Option Plan, the Komag, Incorporated 1988 Employee Stock Purchase Plan,
the Dastek, Inc. 1992 Stock Option Plan, and the 1997 Supplemental Stock Option
Plan, , of our report dated January 29, 2001, with respect to the consolidated
financial statements and schedule of Komag, Incorporated included in this Annual
Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2000.


                                                               Ernst & Young LLP





San Jose, California
March 23, 2001