How to Check CPU Architecture Command Linux?

Knowing how to check CPU architecture command Linux is key to software compatibility, performance, and future upgrades.

Quickly identifying 32-bit (i686) or 64-bit (x86_64) support helps you choose the right software and stay aligned with modern standards.

Discover the top Linux commands to check CPU architecture, summarized in the comparison table below for quick reference.

Prerequisites to Check CPU Architecture Command Linux

To use commands for checking CPU architecture on a Linux system, ensure the following:

• A Linux VPS or a local machine running a compatible distribution.
• Terminal or Command Line access.
• A non-root user with sudo privileges.
• Basic knowledge of executing Linux commands.

6 Essential Commands to Check CPU Architecture in Linux

Let’s go through the examples in this guide and explore 6 essential Linux commands to check CPU architecture and easily determine if your system is 32-bit or 64-bit.

1.  Get Detailed CPU Info

The lscpu command provides a summary of CPU architecture details, including architecture type, number of cores, byte order, and more.

It’s straightforward and does not require root access.

• Syntax:

lscpu

• Example:

lscpu

Output

Architecture:          x86_64  
CPU(s):                4  
Byte Order:            Little Endian

Tip: The lscpu command can also be combined with the grep command to filter and display specific information, such as the architecture type.

• For example, run the command below to find the CPU architecture type:

lscpu | grep Architecture

Output

Architecture:          x86_64

You can use grep command to filter for any term in the lscpu output, such as the number of CPUs, vendor name, or CPU mode, making it a powerful tool for system diagnostics.

2. Check System Architecture

The uname -m command shows the machine’s hardware name, helping identify whether the system is 32-bit or 64-bit.

• Syntax:

uname -m

• Example:

uname -m

Output

x86_64

Tip: While uname -m focuses solely on the machine’s hardware architecture (e.g., x86_64 or i686), adding the -a option expands the output to include the kernel name, network hostname, kernel version, and more.

• For example:

uname -a

Output

Linux opera 5.15.0-73-generic #80~20.04.1-Ubuntu SMP x86_64 GNU/Linux

Which means:

Linux: The operating system name.

opera: The network hostname of the system.

5.15.0-73-generic: The kernel version running on the system.

x86_64: The CPU architecture indicates a 64-bit system.

GNU/Linux: The operating system distribution.

By combining uname -a with grep or other parsing tools, you can filter specific parts of the output to suit your needs.

• For example, to extract only the kernel version, you can use:

uname -a | awk '{print $3}'

3. Get CPU Info

The /proc/cpuinfo file contains detailed information about the CPU, including its model, vendor, and architecture flags.

• Syntax:

cat /proc/cpuinfo

• Example:

cat /proc/cpuinfo | grep "model name"

Output

model name: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-9700K CPU @ 3.60GHz

Tip: The grep -o -w 'lm' /proc/cpuinfo command is a focused way to check CPU architecture compatibility flags directly from the /proc/cpuinfo file.

The flag lm (long mode) indicates 64-bit capability, essential for running 64-bit applications and operating systems.

• For example:

grep -o -w 'lm' /proc/cpuinfo

Output

lm
lm
lm
lm

Each lm in the output represents a CPU core with 64-bit compatibility. If no lm appears, the CPU is limited to 32-bit operations.

It’s particularly useful for advanced diagnostics or verifying compatibility without relying on higher-level tools.

• To get a broader overview of the CPU details, you can combine this with other commands like grep for additional flags or details:

cat /proc/cpuinfo | grep 'flags'

This outputs all CPU flags, such as sse, avx, or lm, which indicate supported features and instruction sets. It’s a comprehensive approach to understanding your CPU’s capabilities.

4. Inspect CPU Features

The cpuid command shows raw information about the CPU, including supported instruction sets and detailed architectural features. It requires installation.

• Syntax:

cpuid

• Example:

cpuid | grep "Intel"

Output

Intel GenuineIntel

Tip: If the cpuid command feels overwhelming with its raw and highly detailed output, the lscpu command offers a simpler and more user-friendly alternative.

It summarizes key CPU details in a neatly formatted and easy-to-read manner without requiring additional parsing or interpretation.

• Example:

lscpu

Output

Architecture:        x86_64  
CPU(s):              4  
Model name:          Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-9700K CPU @ 3.60GHz  
Byte Order:          Little Endian

lscpu is ideal for quickly checking architecture (e.g., x86_64 for 64-bit) and other essential details like the number of cores or the CPU model.

• To extract specific details from lscpu, combine it with grep for a targeted approach. For example, to find just the CPU model name:

lscpu | grep 'Model name'

This balance between simplicity and detail makes lscpu a go-to command for most users needing CPU information without diving too deep into technical specifics.

5. Extract Processor Details

The dmidecode command retrieves hardware details, including processor type, socket, and family. It requires root privileges.

• Syntax:

sudo dmidecode -t processor

• Example:

sudo dmidecode -t processor | grep "Version"

Output

Version: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-9700K

Tip: By piping the output through a pager-like less, you can scroll through this comprehensive data interactively, making it easier to locate specific details.

• Example:

sudo dmidecode | less

Running dmidecode without specific arguments retrieves all available hardware information, from system manufacturer to BIOS details, and organizes it into sections like processor, memory, and motherboard.

It’s beneficial when you need to review a complete snapshot of your hardware configuration.

The | less part allows you to view the extensive output page-by-page. You can navigate with keyboard shortcuts like:

• Spacebar: Scroll down.
• b: Scroll up.
• /keyword: Search for specific terms like “processor” or “memory.”

• If you’re looking for specific details, you can use dmidecode with targeted options like -t processor for CPU-specific information or -t memory for RAM details:

sudo dmidecode -t processor

This targeted approach complements the broader overview, giving you the flexibility to dive into detailed insights when needed.

6. Hardware Overview

The lshw command displays detailed hardware information, including CPU details. It requires administrative access.

• Syntax:

sudo lshw -class processor

• Example:

sudo lshw -class processor

Output

description: CPU  
product: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-9700K  
vendor: Intel Corp.

The lshw command provides a detailed overview of your hardware, including processor information.

By combining it with grep, you can filter specific details, such as the CPU product name, making it easier to locate relevant information quickly.

sudo lshw -class processor | grep "product"

Output

product: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-9700K CPU @ 3.60GHz

Tip: The grep filter streamlines the lshw output by isolating only the lines containing the keyword “product,” saving you from scrolling through extensive data. This method is beneficial for quickly identifying the processor model in multi-component hardware reports.

• For broader processor details, you can run the full command without filtering:

sudo lshw -class processor

This approach gives a complete overview of CPU specifications, including vendor, speed, and architecture, making it versatile for detailed and targeted hardware inquiries.

Best Linux Commands to Check CPU Architecture

Here’s a quick comparison to check CPU architecture command Linux; choose the best one for your task based on ease of use, output detail, and performance!

Conclusion

Understanding how to check CPU architecture is an essential skill for Linux users aiming to optimize performance, ensure compatibility, and streamline system configurations.

This article covered six indispensable commands, from simple options like lscpu and uname -m to advanced tools such as dmidecode and lshw.

These commands help identify whether your system supports 32-bit or 64-bit operations, diagnose issues, and prepare for upgrades.

By knowing your CPU architecture and hardware specifics, you can make informed decisions about software installations and achieve a more efficient and reliable system tailored to your needs.