df and du - checking free disk space

Learn to use the df and du commands to check free disk space on Linux. Learn their basic options and monitor disks effectively!

To diagnose free/used disk space we have the following commands available:
The df command displays the partition structure and their usage (space taken up) in the system.

    Selected options
  • -h - display information in a more readable form, in MB
  • -i - display information about inodes
  • -l - restrict the displayed information to local disks only

The du command shows us the size of the file/directory given on the command line. By default it displays and gives the size of the current directory and its contents.

    Selected options
  • -h - display in a more readable way, in MB
  • -s - gives the total value
  • --max-depth - specifies the maximum directory "depth"