Linux Terminal Check CPU Usage

Have you ever wondered how to check CPU usage on your Linux terminal? Well, here's a surprising fact: the Linux terminal provides a powerful tool for monitoring CPU usage in real-time. With just a few simple commands, you can gain valuable insights into the performance of your system and identify any resource-hogging processes. So, let's dive into the world of Linux terminal and see how it can help you keep an eye on your CPU usage.

Linux terminal offers various commands and tools to help you monitor CPU usage effectively. One such command is 'top', which displays a live overview of system processes along with their CPU utilization. You can sort the processes based on CPU usage to identify any bottlenecking issues. Additionally, there are other commands like 'htop' and 'mpstat' that provide more detailed information about CPU usage, allowing you to analyze the performance of individual cores and CPUs. With these tools at your disposal, troubleshooting performance issues and optimizing resource allocation becomes easier than ever.

Introduction - Monitoring CPU Usage in Linux Terminal

CPU usage is an important metric to monitor the performance and resource utilization of a system. In Linux, the terminal provides various tools and commands to check CPU usage in real-time. This article will explore different methods and commands that can be used to monitor CPU usage directly from the Linux terminal.

Using the top Command

The top command is a popular utility in Linux for monitoring system resources, including CPU usage. By default, it displays a real-time view of the system, showing the processes consuming the most CPU resources. To start using the top command, open the terminal and simply type top and press enter.

Once the top command is running, it provides a variety of information about the CPU usage. At the top of the display, you can find the overall system summary, including the CPU load average and the percentage of CPU usage. In the process list below, you can see a detailed view of individual processes and their CPU consumption. The percentage values in the %CPU column represent the amount of CPU resources consumed by each process.

Additionally, the top command offers various interactive features to sort and filter processes based on CPU usage, memory usage, and other metrics. For example, pressing the P key will sort the processes based on CPU usage in descending order. Similarly, using the 1 key will switch to the detailed view, showing the individual CPU cores and their usage.

The top command provides a comprehensive and flexible way to monitor CPU usage directly from the terminal. It offers real-time updates and a wealth of information to help you understand the system's CPU utilization.

Command: top

To use the top command in a Linux terminal, follow these steps:

• Open the terminal.
• Type top and press enter.
• Observe the real-time updates and the CPU usage information.

Using the mpstat Command

The mpstat command is another powerful utility for monitoring CPU usage in Linux. It provides detailed statistics about each processor in the system, including averages since boot time and real-time updates. The mpstat command is particularly useful for multi-processor systems.

To use the mpstat command, open the terminal and type:
mpstat

The output of the mpstat command includes information such as:

• Average CPU usage for each processor
• Idle time for each processor
• Percentage of time spent in user, system, and steal modes
• Interrupts per second
• Context switches per second

The mpstat command provides a detailed breakdown of CPU usage, making it an excellent tool for analyzing system performance and load distribution across multiple processors. It is especially useful in large-scale server environments where CPU utilization is a critical factor.

Command: mpstat

To use the mpstat command in a Linux terminal, follow these steps:

• Open the terminal.
• Type mpstat and press enter.
• Observe the CPU usage statistics and real-time updates.

Using the sar Command

The sar command is a versatile and powerful system monitoring tool available in Linux. It can provide detailed information about various system resources, including CPU, memory, disk, and network. The sar command collects and reports system activity information over a specified time interval.

To use the sar command for CPU monitoring, open the terminal and type:
sar

The sar command provides CPU-related statistics such as:

• CPU utilization percentage
• CPU idle time
• User CPU time
• System CPU time
• Interrupts per second
• Context switches per second
• Queue length

The sar command is highly flexible, allowing you to set custom time intervals, specify the number of samples, and choose the output format. It stores collected data in system files, which can be later retrieved and analyzed for performance evaluation and troubleshooting purposes.

Command: sar

To use the sar command in a Linux terminal, follow these steps:

• Open the terminal.
• Type sar and press enter.
• Observe the CPU usage statistics and real-time updates.

Using the htop Command

The htop command is an interactive process viewer for Linux. It provides a colorful and user-friendly interface to monitor system resources, including CPU usage. While similar to the top command, htop offers additional features and a more visually appealing display.

To use the htop command, open the terminal and type:
htop

The htop interface is divided into multiple sections, displaying CPU usage, memory usage, process details, and other system information. By default, it sorts the processes based on CPU usage, allowing you to quickly identify resource-intensive processes. The color-coded display makes it easy to visually distinguish between different process states.

Additionally, htop provides interactive features such as process manipulation (e.g., killing processes), graphing CPU and memory usage, and sorting processes using various metrics. It offers a more intuitive and user-friendly alternative to the top command for monitoring CPU usage in the Linux terminal.

Command: htop

To use the htop command in a Linux terminal, follow these steps:

• Open the terminal.
• Type htop and press enter.
• Observe the real-time updates and the CPU usage information.

Exploring Alternative Methods to Check CPU Usage

In addition to the commands mentioned above, there are several other methods and tools available to check CPU usage in the Linux terminal. While the top, mpstat, sar, and htop commands are widely used and provide comprehensive information, each system administrator may have their preferences based on specific requirements and preferences.

Using the uptime Command

The uptime command is a simple and quick way to check the CPU usage of a Linux system. It provides a summary of the system's current uptime, the average load over the last 1, 5, and 15 minutes, and the number of currently logged-in users. The load average values indicate the CPU utilization over the specified time intervals.

To use the uptime command, open the terminal and type:
uptime

The output of the uptime command typically looks like this:

22:34:12 up 3 days, 4:51, 3 users, load average: 0.22, 0.32, 0.25

The load average values (0.22, 0.32, and 0.25 in the example above) indicate the average CPU utilization over the last 1, 5, and 15 minutes, respectively. Higher load average values generally imply higher CPU usage and may indicate that the system is under heavy load.

Command: uptime

To use the uptime command in a Linux terminal, follow these steps:

• Open the terminal.
• Type uptime and press enter.
• Observe the system's uptime and the load average values.

Using the ps Command

The ps command is a versatile utility in Linux that provides information about currently running processes. While its primary purpose is not CPU monitoring, it can be used to get an overview of CPU usage by analyzing the CPU percentage consumed by each process.

To use the ps command to check CPU usage, open the terminal and type:
ps aux

The output of the ps aux command includes information such as:

• User and group IDs
• CPU usage percentage
• Memory usage
• Process status
• Command-line arguments

By analyzing the CPU usage percentage, you can identify processes that consume a significant amount of CPU resources. Additionally, the SORT option can be used with the ps command to sort the output based on CPU usage. For example, to sort the processes in descending order based on CPU usage, use the following command:
ps aux --sort=-%cpu

Command: ps aux

To use the ps aux command in a Linux terminal, follow these steps:

• Open the terminal.
• Type ps aux and press enter.
• Observe the CPU usage percentage and other process information.

Using the Glances Command

The Glances command is a cross-platform monitoring tool that provides a comprehensive view of system resources, including CPU usage. It presents real-time information in a highly customizable and interactive interface.

To use the Glances command, install it first using the package manager of your Linux distribution. Once installed, open the terminal and type:
glances

The Glances interface displays CPU usage as a percentage, along with other useful system information such as memory usage, disk I/O, network activity, and process details. It allows you to navigate through different sections using keyboard shortcuts and provides various sorting and filtering options.

Glances also offers advanced features like system alerts, triggers, and plugins for extended functionality. It is particularly useful for system administrators and power users who require a detailed and customizable system monitoring tool.

Command: glances

To use the Glances command in a Linux terminal, follow these steps:

• Install the Glances package using the package manager of your Linux distribution. For example, on Ubuntu or Debian, use sudo apt install glances.

How to Check CPU Usage in Linux Terminal

If you are a Linux user, it is essential to monitor your CPU usage regularly to ensure optimal performance and troubleshoot any issues. Luckily, the Linux terminal provides various commands to check CPU usage effectively. Here are two commonly used methods:

Method 1: Using the 'top' Command

• Open your terminal.
• Type 'top' and press Enter.
• You will see a dynamic view of your system's processes, with the CPU usage displayed at the top.
• To exit the 'top' command, press 'q' on your keyboard.

Method 2: Using the 'mpstat' Command

• Open your terminal.
• Type 'mpstat' and press Enter.
• The command will display detailed information about your CPU usage, including percentages for each core.
• To exit the 'mpstat' command, press 'Ctrl + C' on your keyboard.

Regularly monitoring your CPU usage in the Linux terminal allows you to identify any processes consuming excessive resources and take appropriate action. It also helps you optimize your system's performance and ensure smooth operations.




Key Takeaways

• You can check CPU usage in Linux terminal using the "top" command.
• The "top" command provides real-time information on CPU usage, processes, and system performance.
• Use the "q" key to exit the "top" command.
• To sort processes by CPU usage, press the "P" key.
• For a detailed view of CPU usage, use the "mpstat" command.



Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions about checking CPU usage in the Linux terminal:

1. How can I check the CPU usage in the Linux terminal?

To check the CPU usage in the Linux terminal, you can use the "top" command. Open the terminal and type "top" followed by pressing the Enter key. This will display real-time information about the processes running on your system, including their CPU usage. You can also use the "htop" command, which provides a more user-friendly and interactive interface for monitoring CPU usage.

If you want to check the CPU usage of a specific process, you can use the "top" command with the "-p" option followed by the process ID (PID). For example, to check the CPU usage of a process with PID 1234, type "top -p 1234" in the terminal. This will show you the CPU usage of that particular process.

2. How can I monitor CPU usage in real-time in the Linux terminal?

To monitor CPU usage in real-time in the Linux terminal, you can use the "top" command with the "-d" option followed by an interval in seconds. For example, to monitor CPU usage every 1 second, type "top -d 1" in the terminal. This will continuously update the CPU usage information on the screen.

If you prefer a more visual and interactive way of monitoring CPU usage, you can use the "htop" command. It provides a live view of CPU usage along with other system metrics in a user-friendly interface.

3. Can I check CPU usage history in the Linux terminal?

Yes, you can check CPU usage history in the Linux terminal using the "sar" command. The System Activity Reporter (sar) command collects, reports, and saves system activity information. To check CPU usage history, open the terminal and type "sar -u" followed by the interval in seconds. This will display CPU usage statistics for the specified interval.

You can also use tools like "gnuplot" to visualize the CPU usage history data from the sar command and create graphs for better analysis.

4. How can I limit CPU usage for a specific process in the Linux terminal?

To limit CPU usage for a specific process in the Linux terminal, you can use the "cpulimit" command. First, you need to install the "cpulimit" package on your system. Then, you can use the following command syntax:

cpulimit -l -p

Replace "" with the desired CPU usage limit in percentage and "" with the process ID of the process you want to limit. For example, to limit a process with PID 1234 to 50% CPU usage, use the command "cpulimit -l 50 -p 1234".

5. How can I check the CPU temperature in the Linux terminal?

To check the CPU temperature in the Linux terminal, you can use the "sensors" command. First, you need to install the "lm-sensors" package on your system. Once installed, you can run the command "sensors" in the terminal to display the temperature readings of various hardware components, including the CPU.

Alternatively, you can use specific tools like "hddtemp" or "lm-sensors" to display CPU temperature in a more detailed format or to monitor it in real-time.






Checking CPU usage in the Linux terminal is a simple and powerful way to monitor the performance of your system. With just a few commands, you can quickly get an overview of how much of your CPU's processing power is being utilized. This information can be helpful in identifying any bottlenecks or performance issues that may be affecting your system's efficiency.

By using commands such as 'top' or 'htop', you can not only view real-time CPU usage but also get detailed information about each process running on your system. This allows you to identify any processes that are consuming excessive CPU resources and take appropriate action. Monitoring CPU usage is particularly important for tasks that require high computational power, such as running complex algorithms or virtual machines.