- by x32x01 ||
Formatting a USB drive in Linux might sound geeky, but it’s actually super simple 
Whether you’re using Ubuntu, Kali, or any other distro, this quick guide will help you format your USB safely in just 3 easy steps.
Let’s dive right in!
First, open your terminal and type:
This command lists all mounted drives and partitions - including used and available space.
Now, look for your USB drive in the list. It’ll look something like
Tip: If you’re not sure which one it is, unplug your USB stick, run df again, then plug it back in - the new device that appears is your USB drive!
Before formatting, you’ll need to unmount the drive so Linux can safely modify it.
Once it’s unmounted, you can choose your preferred file system type
Replace
To confirm the process worked correctly, run:
If no errors appear and the USB is empty, congratulations
- your drive is freshly formatted and ready to go!
That’s it! You’ve successfully formatted your USB drive in Linux using the terminal 
This method is faster, safer, and more reliable than using GUI tools. Next time your USB misbehaves or gets cluttered, you’ll know exactly what to do
Whether you’re using Ubuntu, Kali, or any other distro, this quick guide will help you format your USB safely in just 3 easy steps.Let’s dive right in!
Step 1: Locate Your USB Drive
First, open your terminal and type: dfThis command lists all mounted drives and partitions - including used and available space.
Now, look for your USB drive in the list. It’ll look something like
/dev/sdb1. Tip: If you’re not sure which one it is, unplug your USB stick, run df again, then plug it back in - the new device that appears is your USB drive!
Step 2: Unmount and Format the USB
Before formatting, you’ll need to unmount the drive so Linux can safely modify it. Code:
sudo umount /dev/sdb1Once it’s unmounted, you can choose your preferred file system type
Format as FAT32 (for compatibility with Windows & macOS)
Code:
sudo mkfs.vfat /dev/sdb1
Format as NTFS (for large files & Windows systems)
Code:
sudo mkfs.ntfs /dev/sdb1
Format as exFAT (best for USBs used on modern systems)
Code:
sudo mkfs.exfat /dev/sdb1/dev/sdb1 with your actual USB device path.
Step 3: Verify USB Formatting
To confirm the process worked correctly, run: Code:
sudo fsck /dev/sdb1If no errors appear and the USB is empty, congratulations
- your drive is freshly formatted and ready to go! Final Thoughts
That’s it! You’ve successfully formatted your USB drive in Linux using the terminal This method is faster, safer, and more reliable than using GUI tools. Next time your USB misbehaves or gets cluttered, you’ll know exactly what to do
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