The resize2fs command is used to enlarge or shrink an ext2/3/4 file system on a device. You can enlarge a mounted file system, but you must unmount the file system before you can shrink it. You can specify the desired size of the file system in order to either enlarge or shrink it. If you don’t specify a size, the file system will be resized to the same size as the partition.
It’s important to note that resize2fs does not resize partitions, only the file system. You must use a command like fdisk or an LVM tool to expand the size of the partition/ volume first in order to then enlarge the file system.
Syntax
The syntax of the resize2fs command is:
# resize2fs [options] {device/file system name} [desired size]
If you encounter the below error while running the resize2fs command:
resize2fs: command not found
you may install below package as per your choice of distribution:
| Distribution | Command |
|---|---|
| OS X | brew install e2fsprogs |
| Debian | apt-get install e2fsprogs |
| Ubuntu | apt-get install e2fsprogs |
| Alpine | apk add e2fsprogs |
| Arch Linux | pacman -S e2fsprogs |
| Kali Linux | apt-get install e2fsprogs |
| CentOS | yum install e2fsprogs |
| Fedora | dnf install e2fsprogs |
| Raspbian | apt-get install e2fsprogs |
resize2fs Command Examples
1. To resize a recently extended file system:
# resize2fs /dev/mapper/VG02-LV05
2. To forcefuly resize the file system:
# resize2fs -f /dev/mapper/VG02-LV05
3. To flush the filesystem device’s buffer caches:
# resize2fs -F /dev/mapper/VG02-LV05
4. To shrink the filesystem to the minimum size:
# resize2fs -M /dev/mapper/VG02-LV05
5. To prints out a percentage completion bars for each resize2fs operation:
# resize2fs -p /dev/mapper/VG02-LV05
6. To Print the minimum size of the filesystem and exit:
# resize2fs -P /dev/mapper/VG02-LV05