26.2. Memory Usage

The free command displays the total amount of physical memory and swap space for the system as well as the amount of memory that is used, free, shared, in kernel buffers, and cached.

    265032        780     264252

The command free -m shows the same information in megabytes, which are easier to read.

       258          0        258

If prefer a graphical interface for free, you can use the GNOME System Monitor. To start it from the desktop, go to the Main Menu Button (on the Panel) => System Tools => System Monitor or type gnome-system-monitor at a shell prompt from within X Window System. Then choose the System Monitor tab.