Find your RAM in Windows, Mac, or Linux in under a minute

Your computer's RAM (random access memory) is the working space it uses right now — different from storage space like your hard drive. You can find out how much you have in one or two clicks, and the steps differ slightly depending on whether you use Windows, Mac, or Linux. This guide shows you the fastest way for each system.

The number you are looking for is a single figure in gigabytes (GB) — something like "8 GB" or "16 GB" — and it takes less than a minute to find on any device.

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows 10 or 11, right-click "This PC" on your desktop or in File Explorer, select Properties, and look for "Installed RAM" in the System section.
  • On Mac, click the Apple menu, select "About This Mac", and the total RAM appears in the Memory row.
  • On Linux, open a terminal and type free -h to see your RAM broken down by how much is in use and how much is available.
  • RAM is measured in gigabytes (GB) — most modern computers have between 4 GB and 32 GB, though older machines may have less.
  • If you need to know whether your computer can handle a specific program or game, check the program's system requirements and compare them to your RAM number.

Check RAM on Windows 10 and Windows 11

The fastest way is through the System Properties panel. Right-click on "This PC" on your desktop, or open File Explorer and right-click "This PC" in the left sidebar. Select "Properties" from the menu that appears.

A window opens showing your system information. Look for the line that says "Installed RAM" — it will show a number like "8 GB" or "16 GB". That is your total RAM. You are done.

If you do not see "This PC" on your desktop, you can also reach this same information by pressing the Windows key and typing "System Information", then opening the app that appears. The RAM amount shows in the main window under "Installed RAM".

Check RAM on Mac

Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select "About This Mac" from the dropdown. A window opens immediately.

Look for the row labeled "Memory" — the number next to it is your total RAM, shown in gigabytes (GB). If you see something like "8 GB 2400 MHz DDR4", the "8 GB" is what you need. Close the window when you are done.

Check RAM on Linux

Open a terminal window. On most Linux systems, you can right-click the desktop and select "Open Terminal", or search for "Terminal" in your applications menu.

Type the following command and press Enter: free -h

The output shows your RAM in a table. Look at the row labeled "Mem:" and the column labeled "total" — that number is your total RAM in gigabytes. The "used" column shows how much is currently in use, and "available" shows how much is free right now. You can close the terminal after you have the number.

Understand what the number means

RAM is measured in gigabytes (GB). A modern computer typically has 4 GB, 8 GB, 16 GB, or 32 GB. Older computers may have 2 GB or less. Newer high-end machines or workstations may have 64 GB or more.

More RAM means your computer can run more programs at the same time without slowing down. If you only use email, web browsing, and documents, 8 GB is usually enough. If you edit video, use design software, or play demanding games, 16 GB or more is better. You can compare your RAM number to a program's system requirements to see whether your computer can run it smoothly.

What to do if you need more RAM

If your computer is running slowly and you have checked that your RAM is low, you have two options: add more RAM if your computer allows it, or close programs you are not using. On Windows, open Task Manager by pressing Ctrl+Shift+Esc, click the "Performance" tab, and select "Memory" to see how much RAM is currently in use. On Mac, open Activity Monitor (search for it in Spotlight), click the "Memory" tab, and look at the "Memory Pressure" graph at the bottom.

Whether you can add more RAM depends on your computer model. Laptops often cannot be upgraded, but many desktop computers can. If you think you need an upgrade, look up your specific computer model online or contact the manufacturer to find out whether RAM can be added. In the meantime, closing unused programs and browser tabs will free up RAM immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a difference between RAM and storage space?

Yes. RAM is temporary working memory your computer uses right now — it clears when you shut down. Storage (your hard drive or SSD) is permanent space where files stay even after you turn off the computer. You need both, and they are separate numbers.

Why does my computer show less RAM available than installed?

Your operating system and programs use some RAM all the time, even when you are not actively using them. This is normal. On Windows, Task Manager shows you how much is actually free. On Mac, Activity Monitor shows the same thing. The "installed" number is the total; the "available" or "free" number is what you can use right now.

Can I check RAM on my phone or tablet?

Yes, but the process is different for each device. On an iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, tap General, then About, and look for "Memory". On Android, go to Settings, tap About Phone, and look for "RAM" — the exact location varies by manufacturer. Phone RAM works the same way as computer RAM.

What does the speed number next to RAM mean?

RAM has a speed measured in MHz or GHz (like "2400 MHz" or "3200 MHz"). Higher speed means data moves faster, but for most everyday tasks the difference is not noticeable. The total amount of RAM matters much more than the speed for normal use.

Do I need to do anything after checking my RAM?

No. Checking RAM does not change anything on your computer — it is just reading information. You do not need to restart or close programs. The information stays the same until you physically add or remove RAM hardware.