Member Avatar for NMADW

Hello,
I want to know if there is a simple way to tell if I have a 32 or 64 bit system.
Thanks,
The exact reason for my question, I am downloading software Studio 8 pdf http://www.qoppa.com/pdfstudio/demo/download
And get the choice below.

Linux – 32 bit Download Linux 32
Linux – 64 bit Download Linux 64

Edited by NMADW
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As asked: the correct download (Linux 32-bit vs 64-bit) should match the running userland, not just the CPU. The answers already posted by , and cover kernel strings, executable inspection, and the CPU "lm" flag. The following consolidates that and adds a few quick, reliable checks plus interpretation guidance.

Quick checks (run on the machine in question):

lscpu
# look for "Architecture" and "CPU op-mode(s)"
getconf LONG_BIT
# prints 64 or 32
dpkg --print-architecture
# on Debian/Ubuntu: prints "amd64" or "i386"

A simple interpretation rule: if the system reports 64-bit (Architecture shows x86_64 or getconf returns 64 and package arch is amd64), the 64-bit build is appropriate. If the system reports 32-bit only, use the 32-bit build. Note the important distinction already described above: CPU capability and installed OS can differ — a 64-bit CPU can run a 32-bit OS, but a 32-bit OS cannot run 64-bit binaries. A 64-bit userland can usually run 32-bit programs when the distribution provides 32-bit compatibility libraries (multiarch/multilib).

Additional notes: desktop Settings/About pages often list "OS type" for quick GUI confirmation. For RPM-based systems, the RPM tooling reports host architecture. If the installer is a bundled binary, check its README or packaging for the expected userland architecture. As a conservative fallback, the 32-bit build will often run on a 64-bit system when compatibility libs are present, but native 64-bit is preferred on modern systems for performance and native library support.

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Member Avatar for rubberman

Try the command "uname -r" - if you have a 64bit system, there should be an x86_64 in the kernel name string that will print. Ditto, look at the files in /boot. There are a number of other methods as well, but this will work. This will tell you if the OS is 32 or 64 bit, but it WON'T tell you if the hardware is 64-bit capable if it is running in 32-bit mode.

Member Avatar for imtiazespn

You can use the command 'file'
e.g.
file /bin/cat wll give you output like
cat: ELF 32-bit LSB executable, Intel 80386, version 1 (SYSV), dynamically linked (uses shared libs), for GNU/Linux 2.6.18, stripped

Member Avatar for rustysynate

Do a cat of /proc/cpuinfo.

If you could see "lm" in the flags, then your CPU is 64 bit. lm stands for long mode.

Member Avatar for rubberman

All good sugestions, IMO. :-)

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