---
name: "irqtop"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "util-linux"
version: "2.42.4-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/irqtop"
---

# irqtop(1)

display kernel interrupt information

## NAME

irqtop - display kernel interrupt information

## SYNOPSIS

**irqtop** \[options\]

## DESCRIPTION

Display interrupt-counter information from the kernel in the style of [**top**(1)](/top/1.md).

The default output is subject to change. So whenever possible, you should avoid using default outputs in your scripts. Always explicitly define expected columns by using **--output**.

## OPTIONS

- **-o**, **--output** *list*

  Specify which output columns to print. Use **--help** to get a list of all supported columns. The default list of columns may be extended if *list* is specified in the format *+list*.

- **-b**, **--batch**

  Send the produced tables to stdout instead of to a static screen. This can be used for sending the output to other programs or to a file.

- **-c**, **--cpu-stat** *when*

  Whether to show the per-CPU statistics. Possible arguments are: **auto**, **never**, **always**. The default is **auto**: the per-CPU statistics are shown when the window is wide enough for the full list of CPUs.

- **-C**, **--cpu-list** *list*

  Specify cpus in list format to show.

- **-d**, **--delay** *seconds*

  Update the tables every this number of *seconds*.

- **-J**, **--json**

  Use JSON output format. Implies **--batch**.

- **-n**, **--iter** *number*

  Specifies the maximum iterations before quitting.

- **-s**, **--sort** *column*

  Specify sort criteria by column name. See **--help** output to get column names. The sort criteria may be changes in interactive mode.

- **-S**, **--softirq**

  Show softirqs information.

- **-t**, **--threshold** *min*

  Only show IRQs with counters above the specified threshold. Human readable values are supported (e.g. 1.2K).

- **-h**, **--help**

  Display help text and exit.

- **-V**, **--version**

  Display version and exit.

## ENVIRONMENT

**LIBSMARTCOLS\_DEBUG**=all

enables libsmartcols debug output.

**LIBSMARTCOLS\_DEBUG\_PADDING**=on

use visible padding characters.

**LIBSMARTCOLS\_JSON**=compact\|lines

Controls JSON output format when using **--json**. Supported values are **compact** for JSON output with minimal whitespace, and **lines** for JSON Lines format (one JSON object per line). If unset or set to any other value, pretty-printed JSON is used.

## INTERACTIVE MODE KEY COMMANDS

**i**

sort by short irq name or number field

**t**

sort by total count of interrupts (the default)

**d**

sort by delta count of interrupts

**n**

sort by long descriptive name field

**q Q**

stop updates and exit program

## AUTHORS

*Zhenwei Pi* \<pizhenwei@bytedance.com\>, *Sami Kerola* \<kerolasa@iki.fi\>,*Karel Zak* \<kzak@redhat.com\> *Robin Jarry* \<robin@jarry.cc\>

## REPORTING BUGS

For bug reports, use the *issue tracker* \<https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/issues\>.

## AVAILABILITY

The **irqtop** command is part of the util-linux package which can be downloaded from *Linux Kernel Archive* \<https://www.kernel.org/pub/linux/utils/util-linux/\>.