# sensors Cheatsheet - Cheatsheets - Launch Pad

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# sensors Cheatsheet

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sensors is a command-line tool from lm-sensors package for monitoring hardware sensors. Displays temperature, voltage, fan speed, and other hardware sensor data.

## Basic Usage

- sensors - Display all sensor readings

- sensors -u - Show raw sensor data

- sensors -A - Show adapter information

- sensors -j - Output in JSON format

- sensors -f - Output in Fahrenheit

- sensors -c <config> - Use specific config file

## Sensor Detection

- sensors-detect - Detect and configure sensors

- sensors-detect --auto - Auto-detect without prompts

- sensors-detect --batch - Batch mode (no prompts)

## Configuration

- sensors -s - Set sensor limits from config

- sensors -c <file> - Use custom config file

- sensors --set-adapter <adapter> - Set adapter

## Output Options

- sensors -u - Raw/unformatted output

- sensors -A - Show adapter names

- sensors -j - JSON output

- sensors -f - Fahrenheit instead of Celsius

- sensors -h - Show help

## Common Examples

### Basic Reading

    sensors

Display all sensor readings.

### Raw Data

    sensors -u

Show raw sensor data with chip names.

### JSON Output

    sensors -j

Output in JSON format for scripting.

### Fahrenheit

    sensors -f

Display temperatures in Fahrenheit.

### Detect Sensors

    sudo sensors-detect

Detect and configure hardware sensors.

### Auto Detect

    sudo sensors-detect --auto

Auto-detect sensors without prompts.

### Real-time Monitoring

    watch -n 1 sensors

Monitor temperatures in real-time, updating every second.

## Tips

- Run sensors-detect first to detect hardware sensors

- Use -j for JSON output when scripting

- Use -u to see raw chip data and sensor names

- Use -f if you prefer Fahrenheit temperatures

- Combine with watch for real-time monitoring: watch -n 1 sensors

- Use sensors -s to apply limits from configuration

- Check /etc/sensors3.conf for configuration options

- Essential for monitoring CPU and system temperatures

- Use watch sensors to monitor temperatures in real-time (updates every 2 seconds by default)

- For custom update interval: watch -n 0.5 sensors (updates every 0.5 seconds)