How to determine whether a given Linux is 32 bit or 64 bit?

 

86 down vote accepted

Try uname -m. It seems like the uname -m actually gives x86_64 ==> 64-bit kernel i686 ==> 32-bit kernel Otherwise, not for the Linux kernel, but for the CPU, you type: cat /proc/cpuinfo or: grep flags /proc/cpuinfo Under "flags" parameter, you will see various values. Among them, one is named "tm(transparent mode)" or "rm(real mode)" or "lm(long mode)" rm ==> 16-bit processor tm ==> 32-bit processor lm ==> 64-bit processor Note: you can have a 64-bit CPU with a 32-bit kernel installed" 33 down vote If you were running a 64 bit platform you would see x86_64 or something very similar in the output from uname -a To get your specific machine hardware name run uname -m You can also call getconf LONG_BIT which returns either 32 or 64 5 down vote lscpu will list out these among other information regarding your CPU: Architecture: x86_64 CPU op-mode(s): 32-bit, 64-bit ... courtesty from link: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/246007/how-to-determine-whether-a-given-linux-is-32-bit-or-64-bit

How Do I Know if I’m Running 32-bit or 64-bit Linux? [Answers]

If you’ve bought a new computer recently, you probably have a 64-bit processor and installed the 64-bit version of your Linux distribution. What if your computer is a bit older and you don’t remember?
There is a nice and simple command line program called uname that will tell us exactly that.
Open a terminal window (Applications > Accessories > Terminal).

In the terminal window, type in

uname –m

and hit enter.

• If the response is i686, you have a 32-bit version of Linux.
• If the response is x86_64, you have a 64-bit version of Linux.

Note: if you get some other value like i386, you almost certainly have a 32-bit version of Linux.
You can find out more detail about your particular installation of Linux, like your kernel version, by entering

uname –a

Thanks to niteshifter and overdrank from this Ubuntu forums thread for this information.
If you’re using Windows, check out our Answers article on how to know if you’re running the 32 or 64-bit version.

Link: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/24842/how-do-i-know-if-im-running-32-bit-or-64-bit-linux-answers/