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# `w` vs`who` commands.
- URL: https://snubmonkey.com/w-vs-who-commands/
- Published: 2024-10-21T09:30:09.000Z
- Updated: 2025-04-16T22:27:28.000Z
- Author: Gabriella Bennett
- Tags: linux 🐧, audio  🔊

In Unix-like operating systems, the `w` and the `who` are command-line utilities used to display information about users currently logged into the system.   
While they achieve similar objectives, their level of detail and information varies.

  
🎧 

  
Here's a breakdown of the differences between the two:  
  
### `w` Command  
  
The `w` command provides a more detailed overview of the system's current *state*, including *information* about users and their *actions*.   
  
Here's an example:  

```
$ w

 23:05:03 up 25 days,  3:24,  3 users,  load average: 0.23, 0.35, 0.61
USER     TTY      FROM             LOGIN@   IDLE   JCPU   PCPU WHAT
snub     pts/0    192.168.1.3     11:23    1:03m  0.00s  0.00s bash
monkey   pts/1    192.168.1.4     11:34    3:11m  0.01s  0.01s ssh
ghost    pts/2    192.168.1.5     20:09    4:15m  0.02s  0.02s ssh

```

- **Time and Uptime**: Displays the current time, how long the system has been running (uptime), and the number of users logged in.
- **Load Average**: Shows the system's load average for the past 1, 5, and 15 minutes.
- **USER**: The username of the logged-in user.
- **TTY**: The terminal associated with the user session.
- **FROM**: The remote host or IP address from where the user is logged in.
- **LOGIN@**: The time when the user logged in.
- **IDLE**: The idle time (how long since the user last interacted with the terminal).
- **JCPU**: The total CPU time used by all processes attached to the terminal.
- **PCPU**: The CPU time used by the current process.
- **WHAT**: The command currently being executed by the user.

###   
`who` Command

  
The `who` command provides a simpler and more focused output, showing *who* is currently *logged* into the system.   
  
Here's an example:

```
$ who
snub     pts/0        2024-07-04 11:23 (192.168.1.3)
monkey   pts/1        2024-07-04 11:34 (192.168.1.4)
ghost    pts/2        2024-07-04 20:09 (192.168.1.5)

```

- **USER**: The username of the logged-in user.
- **TTY**: The terminal associated with the user session.
- **DATE and TIME**: The date and time when the user logged in.
- **HOST**: The remote host or IP address from where the user is logged in (if applicable).

### Comparison

- **Detail Level**:
  - `w`: Provides more detailed information about system load, user activity, and processes.
  - `who`: Provides basic information about users who are currently logged in.
- **Use Cases**:
  - `w`: Useful for administrators who need a quick overview of system activity, including what users are doing and the system load.
  - `who`: Useful for quickly checking which users are currently logged into the system without additional details.

**Using Options**:

- `w` with options:

```
w -h    # Hide the header
w -s    # Short format, does not display JCPU and PCPU times

```

- `who` with options:

```
who -b  # Show the last system boot time
who -m  # Show information only about the current terminal
who -q  # Quick output, only displays usernames and number of users

```

By understanding the differences between the `w` and `who` commands, you can choose the one that best fits the level of detail you need regarding logged-in users and system activity.  
  
Thanks for checking in, and we hope this tip was helpful!