Numfmt - Number Formatting Utility
Understand Numfmt for Number Formatting
Numfmt is a powerful command-line utility designed for formatting numbers. It allows you to convert numerical values into human-readable formats, making them easier to understand, especially for large numbers or file sizes. This tool is invaluable for developers and system administrators who frequently work with data and need to present it clearly.
Convert Bytes to Human-Readable Format
One of the most common uses of numfmt is converting raw byte counts
into human-readable file sizes (e.g., KB, MB, GB). This is achieved
using the --to=iec or --to=si options, often
combined with suffixes like --suffix=B for byte units.
# To convert bytes to Human readable format using IEC standard (KiB, MiB, GiB)
numfmt --to=iec --suffix=B --padding=7 1048576
# Example Output:
# 1.0MiB
Apply Prefixes and Padding
Numfmt also supports applying various prefixes and padding to align numbers. This is useful for creating neatly formatted tables or reports where numbers need to occupy a consistent width.
# Example with padding
numfmt --padding=10 12345
# Example Output:
# 12345
Explore Numfmt Options
The numfmt utility offers a wide range of options for customizing number output. You can control units, prefixes, rounding, and more. Refer to the official documentation for a comprehensive list of features and advanced usage.