GPT fdisk
GPT fdisk is a free package of text-mode tools for creating and manipulating partition tables.
What GPT fdisk is
GPT fdisk is a free package of text-mode tools for creating and manipulating partition tables. It includes gdisk, cgdisk, sgdisk, and FixParts. The first three work with GUID Partition Table disks: gdisk provides an interactive editor and can convert MBR tables or BSD disklabels to GPT; cgdisk offers a curses-based interactive interface; and sgdisk is a command-line option for scripts and quick tasks. FixParts repairs certain MBR damage and can change partition types between primary and logical. The tools can back up partition data and access GPT recovery functions. gdisk’s verification command can identify issues such as incorrect CRCs and mismatches between main and backup data, but it does not automatically correct most problems. Downloads include Linux, Windows, and macOS options, and the project also describes availability for FreeBSD. The maker advises using an operating-system-specific partition utility where possible: sgdisk performs minimal error checking and does not ask for confirmation before changing data. On macOS 10.11 and later, system protections block repartitioning the system disk, though USB flash drives remain accessible.
Good
- Includes interactive, curses-based, and scripting-oriented tools.
- gdisk can convert MBR tables and BSD disklabels to GPT.
- Tools can back up partition data.
- FixParts can repair certain MBR damage.
Watch out
- sgdisk performs minimal error checking and does not confirm changes.
- Verification does not automatically fix most detected problems.
- macOS system protections block repartitioning the system disk.
- Some Linux distributions may provide outdated versions.
Who it suits
GPT fdisk suits users who need text-based tools to inspect, create, convert, back up, or recover partition-table data. Its command-line and interactive interfaces serve different workflows, but users should be comfortable with partitioning tools and their risks.
Verdict
GPT fdisk offers several interfaces for GPT work, plus selected MBR repair and conversion functions. Its limited safeguards make care important, and macOS users cannot use it to repartition the system disk on newer protected systems.
The facts
Each one read from GPT fdisk's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Backup and recovery
- The tools provide options to back up partition data and access GPT data recovery functions.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Conversion
- gdisk can convert an MBR partition table or BSD disklabel to GPT format.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Disk image limitation
- sgdisk can operate on raw disk image files but does not support compressed or other advanced disk image formats.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Distribution packages
- GPT fdisk is included in most major Linux distributions’ standard package repositories, though some distributions may provide outdated versions.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Downloads
- The download page lists Linux RPM and Debian packages, Windows and macOS binaries, and source files; it says the EFI binary is available only through version 1.0.4.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Download version
- The download page identifies GPT fdisk version 1.0.10 and was last updated February 19, 2024.checked 4 Oct 2026
- GPT support
- gdisk, cgdisk, and sgdisk work with GUID Partition Table (GPT) disks.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Included tools
- The package consists of gdisk, cgdisk, sgdisk, and FixParts.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Interactive editor
- gdisk provides an interactive interface for manipulating GPT data structures, including advanced settings such as partition-table size.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Interfaces
- gdisk is interactive and text-mode, sgdisk is a command-line tool suited to scripts, and cgdisk is curses-based and interactive.checked 4 Oct 2026
- MBR repair
- FixParts repairs certain types of MBR disk damage and can change partition types between primary and logical.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Origin
- Rod Smith says he first wrote GPT fdisk in 2009, initially focusing on MBR-to-GPT conversion.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Partition alignment
- On new disks, GPT fdisk attempts to align partitions on 1 MiB boundaries by default.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- GPT fdisk is a set of text-mode tools for creating and manipulating partition tables.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Repair and backup
- GPT fdisk can help recover damaged GPT data structures, and gdisk, sgdisk, and cgdisk can save partition data to a backup file.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Scripting
- sgdisk is a command-line tool intended for scripts and quick tasks, with fewer features than gdisk.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Support contact
- The download page invites users to email Rod Smith with problems or comments about that page at [email protected].checked 4 Oct 2026
- Supported operating systems
- The tutorial describes GPT fdisk as available for Linux, FreeBSD, macOS, and Windows.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Text interface
- cgdisk provides a semi-GUI text interface based on ncurses and is described as easier to use than gdisk, though it has fewer features.checked 4 Oct 2026
The company
- Founded
- 2009checked 28 Sep 2026
- Maker
- The GPT fdisk pages identify Roderick W. Smith as the primary author.checked 4 Oct 2026
Money
- FreeBSD limitation
- The FreeBSD version normally cannot save partition-table changes when a partition on the disk is mounted.checked 4 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- macOS limitation
- The project says System Integrity Protection in macOS 10.11 and later blocks low-level access needed to repartition the system disk, while USB flash drives remain accessible.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Platforms
- The project describes GPT fdisk as available for Linux, FreeBSD, macOS, and Windows.checked 4 Oct 2026
Alternatives to GPT fdisk
- 1
DiskGenius
Free planWindows7.5From $99.90 a year - 2
GParted
Free planOpen sourceLinuxmacOSSelf-hostedWindows7.3Free plan - 3
Macrorit Partition Expert
Free planWindows6.7$39.99 one-time - 4
Paragon Partition Manager Community Edition
Free planWindows6.7Free plan - 5
NIUBI Partition Editor
Free planWindows6.6$39 one-time - 6
BootIt Bare Metal
LinuxWindows6.3$39.95 one-time