# How to use the SSH df command

> Canonical: https://jethost.com/kb/how-to-use-the-ssh-df-command/ · Last modified: 2026-08-20T06:50:19+00:00

Learning **how to use the SSH df command** is one of the most useful Linux skills for anyone managing a server. The `df` command shows how much disk space is used and available on your file systems, so you can spot a full disk before it causes problems. In this article, we will show you how to use the SSH df command with clear, practical examples.

## How to use the SSH df command

In short, `df` (disk free) reports disk usage for every mounted file system. To get started, connect to your account over SSH, then run the examples below to check your available space.

## Basic df usage

First, run the command on its own to list all file systems and their usage in blocks:

```
df
```

## Show sizes in a human-readable format

Next, add the `-h` flag to display sizes in KB, MB, and GB instead of raw blocks. This is the option most people use every day:

```
df -h
```

## Check a specific file system

Additionally, you can point `df` at a single path to see usage for just that mount:

```
df -h /home
df -h .
```

## Display inode usage

Finally, use the `-i` flag to show inodes instead of space. This is useful when a disk reports free space but still refuses new files, because it has run out of inodes:

```
df -i
```

You can also add the `-T` flag to show each file system's type, for example `df -hT`, which helps when a server has several kinds of storage. Because these commands only read information, they are completely safe to run at any time, making `df` a quick first step when you troubleshoot storage issues.

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