Skip to main content
ubuntuask.com

Back to all posts

How to View the First N Lines Of A File In Linux?

Published on
3 min read
How to View the First N Lines Of A File In Linux? image

Best Linux Command Line Tools to Buy in October 2025

1 Pixiecube Linux Commands Line Mouse pad - Extended Large Cheat Sheet Mousepad. Shortcuts to Kali/Red Hat/Ubuntu/OpenSUSE/Arch/Debian/Unix Programmer. Non-Slip Gaming Desk mat

Pixiecube Linux Commands Line Mouse pad - Extended Large Cheat Sheet Mousepad. Shortcuts to Kali/Red Hat/Ubuntu/OpenSUSE/Arch/Debian/Unix Programmer. Non-Slip Gaming Desk mat

  • SPACIOUS DESIGN: LARGE 800X300MM PAD FOR WORK, GAMING, & COMFORT.

  • COMMAND LINE QUICK GUIDE: ESSENTIAL FOR LINUX USERS, SAVES PROGRAMMING TIME.

  • DURABLE & EASY TO CLEAN: STURDY, NON-SLIP BASE PROTECTS DESKS; SIMPLY WIPE CLEAN.

BUY & SAVE
$20.95
Pixiecube Linux Commands Line Mouse pad - Extended Large Cheat Sheet Mousepad. Shortcuts to Kali/Red Hat/Ubuntu/OpenSUSE/Arch/Debian/Unix Programmer. Non-Slip Gaming Desk mat
2 Linux Basics for Hackers: Getting Started with Networking, Scripting, and Security in Kali

Linux Basics for Hackers: Getting Started with Networking, Scripting, and Security in Kali

BUY & SAVE
$18.73 $39.99
Save 53%
Linux Basics for Hackers: Getting Started with Networking, Scripting, and Security in Kali
3 Linux QuickStudy Laminated Reference Guide (QuickStudy Computer)

Linux QuickStudy Laminated Reference Guide (QuickStudy Computer)

  • SLEEK DESIGN: MODERN LOOK ENHANCES ANY SPACE, ATTRACTING BUYERS.
  • VERSATILE USE: PERFECT FOR STORAGE, DECOR, OR ORGANIZATION NEEDS.
  • DURABLE MATERIALS: BUILT TO LAST, ENSURING CUSTOMER SATISFACTION.
BUY & SAVE
$6.95
Linux QuickStudy Laminated Reference Guide (QuickStudy Computer)
4 Kali Linux OS for Hackers - Bootable Live Install USB Flash Thumb Drive - Cybersecurity Hacking Tools and Penetration Testing

Kali Linux OS for Hackers - Bootable Live Install USB Flash Thumb Drive - Cybersecurity Hacking Tools and Penetration Testing

  • DUAL CONNECTOR FOR VERSATILITY: COMPATIBLE WITH OLD/NEW PCS, EASY TO USE.

  • NO ONLINE ACCOUNTS REQUIRED: ENJOY PRIVACY, SPEED, AND STABILITY-UNLIKE OTHERS.

  • 600+ ADVANCED TOOLS: KICKSTART YOUR HACKING CAREER WITH ESSENTIAL SECURITY SOFTWARE.

BUY & SAVE
$20.99
Kali Linux OS for Hackers - Bootable Live Install USB Flash Thumb Drive - Cybersecurity Hacking Tools and Penetration Testing
5 Linux Stickers 62pcs Work Decals Aesthetic Waterproof Vinyl Pack Stickers for Water Bottle Laptop Adults Phone Skateboard DIY Decorative Supplies Activities Party

Linux Stickers 62pcs Work Decals Aesthetic Waterproof Vinyl Pack Stickers for Water Bottle Laptop Adults Phone Skateboard DIY Decorative Supplies Activities Party

  • UNIQUE, NO-REPEAT STICKER PACKS FOR ENDLESS VISUAL CREATIVITY!

  • HIGH-DEFINITION PRINTS ENSURE VIBRANT, CLEAR DESIGNS EVERY TIME.

  • SAFE, WATERPROOF VINYL STICKERS STICK WELL, BUT LEAVE NO RESIDUE!

BUY & SAVE
$7.99
Linux Stickers 62pcs Work Decals Aesthetic Waterproof Vinyl Pack Stickers for Water Bottle Laptop Adults Phone Skateboard DIY Decorative Supplies Activities Party
6 Linux Mint Cinnamon 22 64-bit Live USB Flash Drive, Bootable for Install/Repair

Linux Mint Cinnamon 22 64-bit Live USB Flash Drive, Bootable for Install/Repair

  • BOOTABLE USB FOR EASY LINUX MINT INSTALLATION OR REPAIR.
  • TRY BEFORE YOU INSTALL WITH THE LIVE LINUX MINT VERSION.
  • COMPATIBLE WITH 64-BIT SYSTEMS FOR MODERN HARDWARE SUPPORT.
BUY & SAVE
$14.49 $17.99
Save 19%
Linux Mint Cinnamon 22 64-bit Live USB Flash Drive, Bootable for Install/Repair
7 EZITSOL 32GB 9-in-1 Linux bootable USB for Ubuntu,Linux Mint,Mx Linux,Zorin OS,Linux Lite,ElementaryOS etc.| Try or Install Linux | Top 9 Linux for Beginners| Boot Repair | multiboot USB

EZITSOL 32GB 9-in-1 Linux bootable USB for Ubuntu,Linux Mint,Mx Linux,Zorin OS,Linux Lite,ElementaryOS etc.| Try or Install Linux | Top 9 Linux for Beginners| Boot Repair | multiboot USB

  • VERSATILE 9-IN-1 LINUX OS READY FOR ALL USERS’ NEEDS!

  • TRY BEFORE INSTALLING: SAFE EXPLORATION OF LINUX DISTROS!

  • USER-FRIENDLY: IDEAL FOR BEGINNERS WITH PRE-BUNDLED SOFTWARE!

BUY & SAVE
$19.77
EZITSOL 32GB 9-in-1 Linux bootable USB for Ubuntu,Linux Mint,Mx Linux,Zorin OS,Linux Lite,ElementaryOS etc.| Try or Install Linux | Top 9 Linux for Beginners| Boot Repair | multiboot USB
8 ProbTis Linux Commands Line Mouse Pad, Cheat Sheet to Kali/Red Hat/Ubuntu/OpenSUSE/Arch/Debian/Unix Programmer, Extended Large Desk Mat, 35.4”×15.7", Back to School

ProbTis Linux Commands Line Mouse Pad, Cheat Sheet to Kali/Red Hat/Ubuntu/OpenSUSE/Arch/Debian/Unix Programmer, Extended Large Desk Mat, 35.4”×15.7", Back to School

  • ENHANCE LINUX SKILLS DAILY WITH OUR REPETITIVE LEARNING MOUSEPAD!

  • QUICKLY ACCESS OVER 200 ORGANIZED LINUX COMMANDS FOR EFFICIENCY.

  • IDEAL FOR ALL USERS, FROM BEGINNERS TO PROS, ACROSS ALL LINUX DISTROS!

BUY & SAVE
$25.99
ProbTis Linux Commands Line Mouse Pad, Cheat Sheet to Kali/Red Hat/Ubuntu/OpenSUSE/Arch/Debian/Unix Programmer, Extended Large Desk Mat, 35.4”×15.7", Back to School
+
ONE MORE?

To view the first N lines of a file in Linux, you can use the head command. Here's how you can achieve this:

  1. Open the terminal.
  2. Use the following syntax to view the first N lines of a file: head -n N filename Replace N with the number of lines you want to view, and filename with the actual name of the file you want to read. For example, to view the first 10 lines of a file named "example.txt", you would use: head -n 10 example.txt
  3. After entering the command, the terminal will display the first N lines of the specified file.
  4. If you omit the -n N option, head will by default display the first 10 lines of the file.

That's it! You can now use the head command to view the desired number of lines at the beginning of a file in Linux.

How do I preview the first N lines of a file in Linux?

You can use the head command to preview the first N lines of a file in Linux.

To preview the first 10 lines of a file, you can use the following command:

head -n 10 filename

Replace filename with the actual name of the file you want to preview, and 10 with the number of lines you want to see.

What is the easiest method to view the first N lines of a file in Linux?

The easiest method to view the first N lines of a file in Linux is by using the "head" command with the "-n" option followed by the number of lines you want to display. For example, to view the first 10 lines of a file named "example.txt", you would use the following command:

head -n 10 example.txt

What option can I use with the cat command to display the first N lines of a file in Linux?

To display the first N lines of a file in Linux using the cat command, you would need to combine it with the head command. The head command is used to display the first few lines (default is 10) of a file.

To display the first N lines of a file using cat and head, you can use the following command:

cat file.txt | head -n N

Replace file.txt with the name of your file, and N with the number of lines you want to display. This command will output the first N lines of the file.

What command can I use to show only the first N lines of a file in Linux?

You can use the head command to show only the first N lines of a file in Linux. The syntax is as follows:

head -n N file.txt

Replace N with the number of lines you want to display and file.txt with the name of your file.