Disk Usage Commands in Linux

df: Display Filesystem Disk Space Usage

The df command is used to display the disk space usage of mounted filesystems.

• Basic Usage:

  $ df

• Common Options:

  • -h or --human-readable: Display sizes in a human-readable format (K, M, G).

  $ df -h
  

  • -T or --print-type: Display filesystem types.

  $ df -T
  

  • -a or --all: Display all filesystems, including pseudo, duplicate, inaccessible filesystems.

  $ df -a
  

  • -i or --inodes: Display inode information.

  $ df -i
  

du: Estimate File and Directory Space Usage

The du command estimates disk space usage of files and directories.

• Basic Usage:

  $ du /path/to/directory

• Common Options:

  • -h or --human-readable: Display sizes in a human-readable format (K, M, G).

  $ du -h /path/to/directory
  

• -s or --summarize: Display only the total size of the specified directory.
  
  

  $ du -s /path/to/directory

• -a or --all: Display both directory and file information.

  $ du -a /path/to/directory

• -c or --total: Display the grand total.

  $ du -c /path/to/directory

• --max-depth=N: Display information up to a depth of N directories.

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

Understanding the df and du commands is essential for monitoring disk space usage and managing file storage effectively.