free

FREE(1)                       Linux User's Manual                      FREE(1)



NAME
       free - display information about free and used memory on the system


SYNOPSIS
       free [-b|-k|-m|-g] [-l] [-o] [-t] [-s delay ] [-c count ]


DESCRIPTION
       free(1)  displays the total amount of free and used physical memory and
       swap space in the system, as well as the buffers and cache consumed  by
       the kernel.


OPTIONS
       Normal invocation of free(1) does not require any options.  The output,
       however, can be fine-tuned by specifying one or more of  the  following
       flags:

       -b, --bytes
              Display output in bytes.

       -k, --kb
              Display output in kilobytes (KB).  This is the default.

       -m, --mb
              Display output in megabytes (MB).

       -g, --gb
              Display output in gigabytes (GB).

       -l, --lowhigh
              Display detailed information about low vs. high memory usage.

       -o, --old
              Use old format.  Specifically, do not display -/+ buffers/cache.

       -t, --total
              Display total summary for physical memory + swap space.

       -c n, --count=n
              Display statistics n times, then exit.  Used in conjunction with
              the  -s  flag.   Default  is to display only once, unless -s was
              specified, in which case default is to repeat until interrupted.

       -s n, --repeat=n
              Repeat, pausing every n seconds in-between.

       -V, --version
              Display version information and exit.

       --help Display usage information and exit


FILES
       /proc/meminfo -- memory information


SEE ALSO
       ps(1), top(1), vmstat(1)


AUTHORS
       Written by Robert Love.

       The  procps  package  is maintained by Rik van Riel and Robert Love and
       was created by Michael Johnson.

       Send bug reports to <procps-list@redhat.com>.



Linux                             18 Nov 2002                          FREE(1)