Beginner guide · Free resource

Linux file system explained for beginners.

Linux organizes files below one starting location: /. Once you know what the main folders do, paths stop looking like random symbols and start telling a story.

Start with the root directory

The slash / is the top of the Linux file system. It is called the root directory. Every folder and file has a path that begins here, including your personal files.

Do not confuse the root directory with the root user. The root user is an administrator account; the root directory is simply the top location in the file system.

Seven Linux folders worth knowing

/home

Usually holds personal folders for regular users. A student account might keep projects in /home/student/Projects.

/etc

Stores system-wide configuration. Look, learn, and be careful—changing files here can affect the computer.

/var

Holds data that changes while Linux runs, such as logs and caches. A common example is /var/log.

/usr

Contains many installed programs, shared libraries, and documentation. Commands are commonly found below /usr/bin.

/tmp

Stores temporary working files. Do not use it for important work because the contents may be cleared.

/dev

Represents devices as special files. Linux can treat drives, terminals, and other hardware through entries here.

/bin

Traditionally stores essential commands. On many current systems, it connects to the programs under /usr/bin.

Practice safely

Open a terminal in a practice environment.
Run pwd to see your current location.
Run ls / to list the root-level folders.
Use cd /home and then ls to explore without changing anything.

Do not use sudo just to explore. Reading folder names does not need administrator power.

Next step

Ready to practice commands?

Return to the interactive guide for command examples, quizzes, permissions, and video lessons.

Open the interactive Linux guide