lshw
lshw is a free Linux tool for reporting a machine’s hardware configuration.
What lshw is
lshw is a free Linux tool for reporting a machine’s hardware configuration. It can provide details about memory, firmware, the mainboard, CPU version and speed, cache, and bus speed. Reports are available in plain text, XML, or HTML, and the tool has a command-line interface. Its listed hardware support covers DMI, OpenFirmware device tree, PCI/AGP, ISA PnP, CPUID, IDE/ATA/ATAPI, PCMCIA, USB, and SCSI; some support depends on architecture or testing. The README lists Linux and PA-RISC, Alpha, IA-64, PowerPC, ARM, or x86-based machines among its requirements. An optional GTK+ interface can be built separately. The project describes compiling and installing it with make. lshw includes PCI and USB ID lists by default and checks system directories for those files. It is licensed under GPL-2.0. The repository releases page lists no releases, and the project directs bug reports and feature requests to its ticket page, recommending XML output in bug reports.
Good
- Reports memory, firmware, mainboard, CPU, cache, and bus details.
- Outputs plain text, XML, or HTML reports.
- Supports a broad list of hardware interfaces and standards.
- GPL-2.0 licensed and free.
Watch out
- Optional GTK+ interface must be built separately.
- Some hardware support depends on architecture or testing.
- Repository releases page lists no releases.
Who it suits
It suits Linux users who need detailed hardware inventory reports in text, XML, or HTML. Users wanting a graphical interface can build the optional GTK+ interface separately.
Verdict
lshw provides detailed hardware inventory reporting with several output formats. Its support can vary by architecture or testing, and the project’s releases page lists no releases.
Plans and prices
From lshw's own pricing page, checked 7 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| lshw | Free | GPL-2.0 license · Linux hardware inventory tool |
The facts
Each one read from lshw's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Compression
- The README says compressed binaries can be built with UPX and zlib support can be enabled at compile time.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Data files
- By default, lshw includes PCI and USB ID lists and also checks a set of system directories for those data files.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Hardware support
- It supports DMI, OpenFirmware device tree, PCI/AGP, ISA PnP, CPUID, IDE/ATA/ATAPI, PCMCIA, USB, and SCSI, with some support limited to specified architectures or testing.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The project README gives instructions to compile and install lshw using make.checked 7 Oct 2026
- License
- The repository identifies the project as GPL-2.0 licensed.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Optional GUI
- An optional GTK+ graphical user interface can be built separately.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Output formats
- Information can be output in plain text, XML, or HTML.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- lshw reports detailed information about a machine’s hardware configuration.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Release page
- The repository’s releases page states that there are no releases there.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Reported details
- It can report memory configuration, firmware version, mainboard configuration, CPU version and speed, cache configuration, and bus speed.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Support
- The README directs users to the project’s ticket page for bug reports and feature requests, and recommends including XML output in bug reports.checked 7 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Platform requirements
- The README lists Linux and PA-RISC, Alpha, IA-64, PowerPC, ARM, or x86-based machines among its requirements.checked 7 Oct 2026
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