How to Check the Memory Usage on Linux

Checking the memory usage on Linux is an important task that can help you identify potential issues with your system’s performance. Here are some ways to check memory usage on Linux:

Method 1: Using the free command The free command is a simple way to check the memory usage on Linux. Here’s how to use it:

  1. Open a terminal window.
  2. Type “free” and press Enter.
  3. You will see a summary of your system’s memory usage, including the total amount of memory, the amount of used memory, and the amount of free memory.

Method 2: Using the top command The top command is a powerful tool for monitoring system resources, including memory usage. Here’s how to use it:

  1. Open a terminal window.
  2. Type “top” and press Enter.
  3. You will see a list of running processes, sorted by their memory usage. The top of the list will show the processes using the most memory.

Method 3: Using the ps command The ps command is another useful tool for checking memory usage on Linux. Here’s how to use it:

  1. Open a terminal window.
  2. Type “ps aux” and press Enter.
  3. You will see a list of running processes, along with information about their memory usage.

Method 4: Using the htop command The htop command is a more user-friendly version of the top command, with a graphical interface and additional features. Here’s how to use it:

  1. Open a terminal window.
  2. Type “sudo apt-get install htop” (or the appropriate command for your Linux distribution) and press Enter.
  3. Once htop is installed, type “htop” and press Enter.
  4. You will see a list of running processes, sorted by their memory usage. You can use the arrow keys to navigate the list and the F6 key to sort by different criteria.

In conclusion, checking memory usage on Linux is a simple process that can be done using a variety of commands and tools. By monitoring your system’s memory usage, you can identify potential performance issues and take steps to optimize your system.