How to Check Disk Usage with df and du Commands

Checking disk usage in Linux is often done using the df and du commands, which provide details on how much space is being used and where. Here’s how to use each command effectively.

Checking Disk Usage with df #

The df command (Disk Free) is a quick way to view available and used disk space on all mounted filesystems. By default, it shows data in 1K blocks, but you can modify it to display more user-friendly formats.

Basic Syntax #

df [options] [file]

Commonly Used Options

Below are the most commonly used options with the df command

• Display in Human-Readable Format:
  • This will show the disk usage in MB, GB, etc., making it easier to interpret.

df -h

• Check a Specific Filesystem:
  • Replace /path/to/directory with a directory or device to view its usage specifically.

df -h /path/to/directory

• Include File System Types:
  • Adds the file system type (e.g., ext4, tmpfs) in the output for each partition.

df -T

• View Inodes Usage:
  • Displays the number of inodes (used/available) on each filesystem, helpful for diagnosing inode exhaustion.

df -i

Checking Disk Usage with du #

The du command (Disk Usage) is used to estimate the disk space used by specific files or directories. It’s more detailed than df, allowing you to view usage down to the folder level.

Basic Syntax

#

du [options] [directory]

Commonly Used Options

Below are the most commonly used options with the du command.

• Display in Human-Readable Format:
  • This will show folder sizes in KB, MB, GB, etc for the working directory.

du -h

• Summarize Directory Usage:
  • The -s option gives the total size of the specified directory without listing sub-directories.

du -sh /path/to/directory

• List Directory and Subdirectory Usage:
  • Shows the disk usage of each directory and sub-directory.

du -h /path/to/directory/*

• Limit Depth:
  • Limits the depth of directories shown to the specified level, providing an overview of immediate sub-directory sizes.

du -h --max-depth=1 /path/to/directory

Summary #

• Use df for a broad overview of disk usage across all mounted filesystems.
• Use du when you want detailed information about specific folders or files within a filesystem.

Together, df and du offer a comprehensive picture of disk usage on a Linux system, helping with monitoring, troubleshooting, and managing disk space effectively.