The head command in Linux explained
The head command shows the first lines of a file. It is one of the most useful commands for anyone using a live USB drive or a fresh Linux install.
Syntax
head [-n count] file
Examples
head -n 5 notes.txt: the first five lines
Tip
Its partner is tail, which shows the end of a file.
Keep learning
New to the terminal? Start with Linux terminal basics. You can try every command safely from a live session: see how to try Linux without installing it. Run man head in a terminal for the full manual.
Frequently asked questions
How do I see every option for head?
Run man head for the full manual, or try head --help for a short summary.
Do I need sudo to run head?
Not for your own files. You only need sudo when the command changes something owned by the system or another user.
Is it safe to practise head on a live USB drive?
Mostly yes, because a live session starts fresh each time. Be careful with commands that write to your internal disk, such as rm on a mounted drive or dd.