This article provides a list of the best Linux command line cheat sheets you can download for free. I’ll be honest with you. I am a cheat sheet fan. Especially when I am learning something new. It also helps me on topics that I know I’ll have to work on and off again. When you learn something new, it’s normal that you won’t know all commands by heart. It comes by practice eventually if you work on it continuously. Cheat sheets come in handy for quick references in such circumstances. You don’t have to memorize or Google for repetitive commands each time. A little doc can be opened in a corner (either on your screen or on a printed paper), and you can have a quick glance at it. I’ll count the cheat sheets as one of the productivity tools for Linux or for anything in general. You see, when you refer to your favorite cheat sheet time and again, you get familiar with it. You know which command is where and it helps save time. Of course, you can create your own cheat sheet, but you can also save time by using cheat sheets created by others. Here, I have listed various kinds of Linux command cheat sheets. Before you go on downloading these cheat sheets, let me clarify a few things:
The cheat sheets listed below contain those commands that will be helpful for beginners to advanced users and are directly related to Linux Command Line.
This is the official Red Hat Linux commands cheat sheet. You need to Sign in with your account to access the cheatsheet. You can download by visiting the link below:
A nice to have colorful cheat sheet that covers most frequently used Linux commands. You can download it from the link below:
Cheatography is a website where anyone can create cheat sheets with their online tools. Here is a nice cheat sheet with basic Linux commands for you:
This is one the most popular Linux command cheat sheets on the internet. It was created back in 2007 but even after 11 years, this command reference sheet is equally helpful.
Pi My Life Up is a website dedicated to Raspberry Pi and related stuff. They also have a nice one page Linux command cheat sheet in PDF format.
You can download it directly from the link below:
This is not really a couple of pages long cheat sheet. It’s a Linux command reference that goes over 50 pages.
I wouldn’t call it a book because it never goes into detail but it does show you all the basic Linux commands and their usage.
If you are preparing for LPIC, you would surely benefit from this free LPIC reference guide. This 120+ pages PDF has Linux commands and their explanation that will help you in your LPIC exam.
Popular website MakeUseOf also has a quick Linux command cheat sheet that lists basic commands for system info, process management, compression, networking etc.
You can download the PDF from their website:
This is the official reference card from Debian. If you use Debian either as a server or desktop, this Debian reference card will come in handy.
This is one of the quick reference PDF that lists frequently used Linux commands.
You can download it from the link below:
This cheat sheet explains all basic Linux commands with examples. A PDF version of the cheatsheet is also available.
Download this from the link below:
The below cheat sheets describe commands relating to Linux command line networking purposes.
In this Linux networking commands cheat sheet, you’ll get a list of Linux utilities and commands for managing servers and networks. A good reference point for Linux sysadmins.
You can download it from opensource.com by providing your email address.
Earlier in this list of best Linux commands cheat sheets, you saw a cheat sheet for basic Linux commands from Red Hat.
But you don’t have to stuck with the basic one. Red Hat also has an advanced Linux commands cheat sheet. This is very specific to Red Hat though.
You can download it from the link below. You need to create an account with Red Hat before you could download it.
This cheat sheet is from Linux Training Academy; you need to submit email to download the cheat sheet.
This cheat sheet can be downloaded from the below link:
This category lists cheat sheets relating to either bash shell or bash scripting
This is a 4-page cheat sheet covering the basic Linux commands. It also has the list of Linux terminal shortcuts and the bash terminal navigation shortcuts.
This is a hell lot more than just a simple cheat sheet. This is a Bash book running over 100 pages.
It lists quick examples of Bash scripting usage. Both Linux Notes and Bash Notes are from the same source and are completely free.
The redirection operator in bash is very important and useful. These cheat sheets make it easier to memorise the important bash redirection commands. Download from the link below:
A quick reference to getting started with Bash scripting.
Get it from the link below:
This cheat sheet has both keyboard shortcuts and other important command uses. Get it from the link below:
This category lists those cheat sheets focusing on advanced Linux commands or certain specific commands/tools.
Sylvain, who brings you the weekly Bash Challenge, has a few cheat sheets in his kitty. And those cheat sheets actually look awesome.
You need to register with your email to get the cheat sheet. You can get them at the link below:
If you have some knowledge about using SED commands, you’ll enjoy this SED cheat sheet. It is created by Peter Krumins, a prominent programmer and author of several programming books like Perl One-Liners from No Starch Press.
You can download the SED cheat sheet from the link below:
If you use AWK command for scripting, you’ll find this AWK cheat sheet from TheGeek Stuff handy.
You can download it from the direct link below:
This one is for advanced Linux users. Perf, as the name suggests, is a performance analyzing tool. If you want to know the details on the CPU at low level, perf is what you need to use.
There is a brilliant cheat sheet by Brandon Gregg but it has been even brilliantly transformed by Julia Evans.
You can download it from her website:
This is a quick reminder about grep command, listing almost all of its useful options and cases. You can download the grep cheat sheet from the link below:
TMux will increase your productivity if you are an ardent terminal user. This cheat sheet will help to boost your TMux knowledge. You can download it from the link below:
Helpful in programming Raspberry pi, it list basic and important commands to remember.
This is from opensource.com and you can download it by providing your email. Get it from the link below:
Which Linux cheat sheet do you like the most here? Do you have any favorites that you would like to add to this list? Do share your views.
About the authorCreated It's FOSS 11 years ago to share my Linux adventures. Have a Master's degree in Engineering and years of IT industry experience. Huge fan of Agatha Christie detective mysteries 🕵️♂️
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