Question: How Large Is the Linux Kernel?
Contents

A standard compiled and compressed kernel is around 2 MB, modules like 10 MB.

How big is the Linux kernel?

Open Source

Linux kernel version 5.8 is about the same size as Linux 4.9 from 2016, which Torvalds at the time crowned the “the biggest we’ve ever had” and spanned over 22 million lines of code.

What is the size of Linux?

Comparison

Distribution Minimum system requirements Image size
Lightweight Portable Security 390 MB
Linux Lite RAM: 768 MB (2020) disk: 8 GB 955 MB
Lubuntu RAM: 1 GB CPU: 386 or Pentium 916 MB
LXLE RAM: 512 MB (2017) CPU: Pentium III (2017) 1300 MB
Robert Thorne

Robert Thorne

Automotive & Future Transportation Editor

Robert Thorne covers electric vehicle innovations, autonomous driving systems, global mobility trends, and automotive engineering developments.

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