How to check directory size in Linux?

How to Check Directory Size in Linux?

Direct Answer:

To check the size of a directory in Linux, you can use the du command. This command stands for "disk usage" and is used to estimate the size of a directory. Here are the common ways to use the du command:

• Method 1: Simple Directory Size Check

  • Open a terminal and type du -sh /path/to/directory
  • Replace /path/to/directory with the actual path of the directory you want to check.
  • The -s option stands for "summary" which displays the total size of the directory and its contents.
  • The -h option stands for "human-readable" which displays the size in a human-readable format (e.g., KB, MB, GB, TB).

• Method 2: Directory Size Check with Subdirectories

  • Open a terminal and type du -ah /path/to/directory
  • Replace /path/to/directory with the actual path of the directory you want to check.
  • The -a option stands for "all" which includes the size of subdirectories in the count.
  • The -h option stands for "human-readable" which displays the size in a human-readable format (e.g., KB, MB, GB, TB).

Using Other Linux Commands to Check Directory Size

Besides the du command, there are other ways to check the size of a directory in Linux:

• Disk Usage – Human Readable (DUF)

  • Install DUF: sudo apt-get install duf (for Ubuntu-based systems) or sudo yum install duf (for RHEL-based systems)
  • Open a terminal and type duf --human-readable /path/to/directory
  • Replace /path/to/directory with the actual path of the directory you want to check

• Tree

  • Install Tree: sudo apt-get install tree (for Ubuntu-based systems) or sudo yum install tree (for RHEL-based systems)
  • Open a terminal and type tree -d /path/to/directory --du
  • Replace /path/to/directory with the actual path of the directory you want to check
  • The -d option stands for "directories only" which excludes files from the count
  • The --du option stands for "show disk usage" which displays the size of the directory and its contents

Using Graphical Tools

If you prefer a graphical interface, you can use the following tools:

• Baobab

  • Install Baobab: sudo apt-get install baobab (for Ubuntu-based systems) or sudo yum install baobab (for RHEL-based systems)
  • Open Baobab and navigate to the directory you want to check
  • Right-click on the directory and select "Properties" or "Get Info"
  • The "Properties" or "Get Info" window will display the size of the directory

• File Manager (Nautilus)

  • For Ubuntu-based systems: Right-click on the directory you want to check and select "Properties"
  • For RHEL-based systems: Right-click on the directory you want to check and select "Get Info"
  • The "Properties" or "Get Info" window will display the size of the directory

Tips and Tricks

• Enter the directory path carefully: Make sure to enter the correct path of the directory you want to check, as this can lead to incorrect results.
• Use the correct options: Pay attention to the options you use with the du command, such as -s for a summary and -h for human-readable format.
• Be patient: The du command can take some time to scan a large directory, so be patient and do not interrupt the process.

Conclusion

In conclusion, checking the size of a directory in Linux is a straightforward process that can be done using various commands and tools. Whether you prefer a command-line interface or a graphical one, there are options available to suit your needs. By following the methods outlined in this article, you can easily check the size of a directory in Linux and make informed decisions about your file management.

Additional Resources

• Linux daemon: UCF
• DUF: DUF on GitHub
• Tree: Tree on GitHub
• Baobab: Baobab on GitHub
• Nautilus: Nautilus on GitHub