redhat man page for 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 follow-
       ing 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 speci-
	      fied, 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)