Linux Terminal Commands to Track CPU, RAM, and Disk Usage
- Kalyan Bhattacharjee
- Aug 12, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Nov 3, 2025
Overview | Linux Terminal Commands
Linux is a powerful operating system known for its flexibility and control. While desktop environments offer graphical tools to monitor system performance, many Linux users prefer or work in headless (non-GUI) environments where command-line tools are essential.
Whether you're managing a remote server or optimizing a minimal install, here's how you can monitor your system resources in Linux using the terminal.
Why Monitor System Resources Without Linux GUI? 🖥️
Monitoring system resources without a Linux GUI helps you save valuable CPU and RAM, making it ideal for servers, low-end systems, or remote environments where performance and efficiency matter most.
Lightweight: GUI-based monitors consume system resources themselves.
Remote Access: Ideal for SSH sessions to cloud servers or VPS.
Control & Automation: Easier to script and automate monitoring tasks.
Terminal Commands to Monitor Linux System Resources
Keep track of your system’s performance in real-time with these essential Linux terminal commands that help you monitor CPU, memory, disk usage, and more efficiently.
top | Real-Time Process Monitor
The top command displays a dynamic, real-time view of running processes. It shows CPU usage, memory usage, load average, and more.
top
Tip: Press M to sort by memory usage or P to sort by CPU usage.
htop | Improved Version of top
htop is an enhanced, interactive version of top. It offers a color-coded, user-friendly interface.
sudo apt install htop # Debian/Ubuntu
sudo yum install htop # CentOS/RHEL
htop
Note: Use arrow keys to scroll through processes.
vmstat | Virtual Memory Statistics
vmstat gives a snapshot of system memory, processes, paging, block I/O, and CPU activity.
vmstat 5
This command updates stats every 5 seconds.
free | RAM Usage
Use free to check RAM and swap memory usage.
free -h
The -h flag displays values in a human-readable format (MB/GB).
iostat | CPU and Disk I/O
From the sysstat package, iostat helps you monitor CPU load and disk I/O.
sudo apt install sysstat
iostat -xz 5
The -x provides detailed stats, and -z omits zero values.
mpstat | Per-Cpu Usage
Also part of sysstat, mpstat shows usage per CPU core.
mpstat -P ALL 5
Updates every 5 seconds and breaks down CPU usage.
sar | Historical Resource Usage
sar collects, reports, and saves system activity.
sar -u 1 3
This checks CPU usage 3 times at 1-second intervals.
iotop | Disk Read/Write Monitoring
Similar to top, but iptop is for disk I/O.
sudo apt install iotop
sudo iotop
Note: Requires root permissions.
nload | Real-Time Network Traffic
nload a handy tool for real-time network monitoring.
sudo apt install nload
nload
Shows incoming and outgoing traffic graphically.
netstat / ss | Network Connections
Use netstat or the faster ss to monitor network sockets and connections.
ss -tuln
Lists all listening TCP/UDP ports and services.
Why Mastering Linux Terminal Commands Matters
Using the terminal isn't just for advanced users - it's a powerful skill that gives you deeper control over your system. Whether you're managing a headless server or troubleshooting performance issues, knowing how to monitor resources via CLI tools like top, htop, or vmstat can save time and improve efficiency.
Wrapping Up 🧠
Monitoring system performance from the Linux terminal is not only lightweight but incredibly powerful. With the tools above, you can keep a close eye on your CPU, memory, disk I/O, and network usage without relying on a GUI. Whether you're a sysadmin or a power user, mastering these commands will help you maintain optimal performance in any Linux environment.
Want more command-line tips? Drop your queries in the comments or explore more Linux tutorials on our blog!
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