# Monitor Linux Network Bandwidth Usage in Real Time with nload

> URL: https://www.atlantic.net/vps-hosting/monitor-linux-network-bandwidth-usage-in-real-time-with-nload/ | Published: 2021-10-27 | Updated: 2024-06-04 | Author: Hitesh Jethva

nload is a command-line tool used for monitoring network traffic and bandwidth usage in real-time. It will display the incoming and outgoing traffic using two graphs. This console-based application also displays info like the total amount of transferred data and min/max network.

In this post, we will show you how to install and use nload to monitor network bandwidth usage in real-time.

## Step 1 – Install Nload

By default, nload is not installed on Linux operating system.

For Debian or Ubuntu operating system, install nload using the following command:

```
apt-get install nload -y
```

For CentOS or RHEL operating system, install nload using the following command:

```
yum install epel-release -y
yum install nload -y
```

## Step 2 – Use Nload to Monitor Network Usage

You can run the nload command by specifying a network interface. Otherwise, it will auto-detect the network interface and start monitoring.

```
nload wlan0
```

You should see the bandwidth usage on the wlan0 network interface on the following screen:
 ![](https://www.atlantic.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/p1-11-1024x567.png)

Press**F2** to display the options windows:
 ![Display option window](https://www.atlantic.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/p2-11-1024x566.png)
 Press **F5** to save the current settings to the user’s configuration file.
 ![Save current settings](https://www.atlantic.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/p3-5-1024x449.png)
 Press**F6** to reload settings from the user’s configuration file.
 Press **CTRL + C** to close the nload window.

You can use the **-m** flag with nload command to display network usage of all network interfaces.

```
nload -m
```

You can use the -t flag to sets the refresh interval of the display in milliseconds.

```
nload -t 700 -m
```

To display all options available with nload, run:

```
nload --help
```

You should see the Nload help page on the following screen:
 ![Nload help page](https://www.atlantic.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/p5-4.png)

## Conclusion

In the above guide, you learned how to use the nload tool to monitor network usage in Linux. This tool will help you to monitor the network traffic and bandwidth usage in Linux. Get started today on your [VPS hosting](https://www.atlantic.net/vps-hosting/) account from Atlantic.Net.