How To List Recursive File Sizes in a Directory on Ubuntu

In this article, we will explore how to list recursive file sizes in a directory on Ubuntu. This is a common task for system administrators and those looking to manage their disk space usage. We will cover various methods, including using terminal commands and graphical tools.

Using the du Command

The du command, short for “disk usage”, is a standard Unix command used to estimate file and directory space usage. The command recursively sums up the file sizes in each directory and its subdirectories.

Example command:

du -h --max-depth=1 /path/to/directory

In this command:

• -h stands for “human-readable”, and it prints sizes in human-readable format (e.g., KB, MB).
• --max-depth=1 specifies the depth of the directory tree that du will traverse. 1 means it will only go one level deep from the directory specified.
• /path/to/directory is the directory you want to inspect.

This command will display the sizes of all files and directories in the specified directory, with the sizes rolled up to the parent directories.

Using the ncdu Command

ncdu, short for NCurses Disk Usage, is a terminal-based tool that provides a fast and easy-to-use interface to find out what directories are using your disk space.

To install ncdu, use the following command:

sudo apt-get install ncdu

Once installed, navigate to the directory you want to inspect and run:

ncdu

This will display a list of files and directories, along with their sizes. You can navigate through this list using the arrow keys and drill down into directories by pressing Enter.

Using the ls Command

The ls command is used to list files and directories. It has several options that can be used to display additional information such as file sizes.

Example command:

ls -lR /path/to/directory

In this command:

• -l stands for “long format”, which includes additional details like file size, last modified date, and permissions.
• -R stands for “recursive”, which means it will list all files in the subdirectories as well.
• /path/to/directory is the directory you want to inspect.

This command will list all files and directories in the specified directory, along with their sizes, including subdirectories.

Using the tree Command

The tree command displays a recursive directory listing in a tree-like format. This can be useful for getting an overview of the directory structure.

To install tree, use the following command:

sudo apt-get install tree

Once installed, you can run:

tree /path/to/directory

This will display a tree-like structure of the directory and its subdirectories.

Using Graphical Tools

If you prefer a graphical user interface, you can use tools like “baobab” (Disk Usage Analyzer) in Ubuntu. Baobab provides a visual representation of disk usage, allowing you to drill down into the directory hierarchy and see the sizes of individual directories.

To install Baobab, use the following command:

sudo apt-get install baobab

Once installed, you can run it from the terminal by typing baobab, or find it in your application menu.

In conclusion, Ubuntu provides several tools and commands to list recursive file sizes in a directory. Depending on your preference, you can use terminal commands like du, ncdu, ls, and tree, or graphical tools like Baobab. Each of these methods has its own advantages, so choose the one that suits your needs best.