Btrfs is a Linux copy-on-write filesystem with checksums, subvolumes, snapshots, transparent compression, multi-device profiles, scrubbing, and send/receive replication. A safe workflow is to identify the correct device, create and mount the filesystem, organize independent data in subvolumes, monitor usage and device health, and keep independent backups. Formatting is destructive, snapshots are not backups, and redundancy cannot replace an off-filesystem backup.
Before you begin
Btrfs administration uses the btrfs-progs package. Install it with the command for your distribution:
# Debian/Ubuntu
sudo apt install btrfs-progs
# Fedora
sudo dnf install btrfs-progs
# Arch Linux
sudo pacman -S btrfs-progsCommand availability and options depend on your kernel and btrfs-progs version; the Btrfs manual index is the authoritative reference.
Identify the target device
lsblk -o NAME,PATH,SIZE,FSTYPE,UUID,MOUNTPOINTS,MODEL
findmnt
sudo blkid- Confirm the model, serial, size, partitions, and current mount points.
- Use a stable path under
/dev/disk/by-id/where practical. - Unmount the target before formatting.
- Copy any required data to another device first.
- Do not use a whole-disk path if it contains partitions or data you need.
Warning: mkfs.btrfs destroys existing filesystem data. Replace examples such as /dev/sdX only after verifying the device beyond doubt.
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Create and mount a Btrfs filesystem
Format a dedicated partition or empty disk
For an empty partition:
sudo mkfs.btrfs -L data /dev/sdX1For an entirely empty disk, use the whole-disk form only when destroying its partition table is intentional:
sudo mkfs.btrfs -L data /dev/sdXmkfs.btrfs supports profiles including single, dup, raid0, raid1, raid1c3, raid1c4, raid5, raid6, and raid10; choose deliberately rather than treating every profile as conventional RAID. See the mkfs.btrfs documentation.
Mount and verify it
sudo mkdir -p /mnt/data
sudo mount /dev/disk/by-label/data /mnt/data
findmnt /mnt/data
sudo btrfs filesystem show /mnt/data
sudo btrfs filesystem usage /mnt/dataThe top-level Btrfs subvolume has ID 5. A normal single-device filesystem has one data profile and duplicated metadata by default, but duplicated metadata is not a second-device backup. The official introduction describes this initial layout.
Persist mounts in /etc/fstab
sudo blkid /dev/sdX1Use the returned UUID in entries such as:
UUID=REPLACE_WITH_UUID /mnt/root btrfs subvol=@,compress=zstd 0 0
UUID=REPLACE_WITH_UUID /mnt/home btrfs subvol=@home,compress=zstd 0 0
UUID=REPLACE_WITH_UUID /mnt/snapshots btrfs subvol=@snapshots 0 0Test without rebooting:
sudo umount /mnt/root /mnt/home /mnt/snapshots
sudo mount -a
findmnt -t btrfscompress=zstd, ssd, discard=async, and other options are not universally mandatory; support and behavior depend on the running kernel and tools.
Organize data with subvolumes
Subvolumes look like directories in the top-level view but can be mounted, snapshotted, and sent independently. They share the filesystem’s storage pool unless qgroup limits are configured; they are not fixed-size partitions.
sudo btrfs subvolume create /mnt/data/@
sudo btrfs subvolume create /mnt/data/@home
sudo btrfs subvolume create /mnt/data/@snapshots
sudo btrfs subvolume list -p /mnt/data
sudo btrfs subvolume show /mnt/data/@Mount one directly:
sudo mkdir -p /mnt/root
sudo mount -o subvol=@ /dev/disk/by-label/data /mnt/rootA snapshot is itself a subvolume. A snapshot of @ does not include sibling subvolumes such as @home; snapshot each independent data set that must be recoverable. Details are in the subvolume documentation.
Compression and special file behavior
A common mount option is:
sudo mount -o subvol=@,compress=zstd /dev/disk/by-label/data /mnt/rootCompression is transparent and normally affects new writes. Existing extents are not automatically rewritten, and already-compressed or incompressible data may gain little. Results vary with data, workload, device, kernel, and compression level; there is no universal space-saving percentage. Compression is not deduplication.
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Recursive defragmentation can rewrite extents and may increase space usage or reduce snapshot sharing:
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sudo btrfs filesystem defragment -r -v -czstd /mnt/dataUse chattr +C (NOCOW) only for a workload with a clear reason, such as certain virtual-machine or database files. NOCOW changes checksum behavior for affected file data and is not a general performance switch.
Snapshots: local rollback, not backup
Create and remove snapshots
sudo btrfs subvolume snapshot /mnt/root /mnt/snapshots/root-before-change
sudo btrfs subvolume snapshot -r /mnt/root /mnt/snapshots/root-2026-08-18
sudo btrfs subvolume list /mnt
sudo btrfs subvolume delete /mnt/snapshots/root-before-change
sudo btrfs subvolume sync /mntRead-only snapshots are preferable as backup sources. Snapshots initially share blocks with their source, so changes consume additional space; retaining many snapshots can fill the filesystem. Deleting a snapshot may complete asynchronously. The Btrfs documentation warns that damage to shared blocks can affect both source and snapshot: a snapshot is not an independent copy and does not protect against device failure, theft, malware, whole-filesystem deletion, or other hardware disasters.
Back up with send and receive
Send snapshots to another mounted Btrfs filesystem:
sudo btrfs send /mnt/snapshots/root-2026-08-18
| sudo btrfs receive /mnt/backupFor an incremental stream, the parent read-only snapshot must already exist at the destination:
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sudo btrfs send
-p /mnt/snapshots/root-2026-08-17
/mnt/snapshots/root-2026-08-18
| sudo btrfs receive /mnt/backupOver SSH:
sudo btrfs send /mnt/snapshots/root-2026-08-18
| ssh backup-host 'sudo btrfs receive /backup'Every snapshot involved in send must be read-only. Preserve the parent-child lineage: renaming, deleting, or substituting the parent can prevent future incrementals. The destination needs enough free space. Streams can also be saved to files for transport. See btrfs send and the send/receive guide. Test a restore rather than assuming a completed receive is a usable backup.
Inspect usage and device health
sudo btrfs filesystem show
sudo btrfs filesystem usage /mnt/data
sudo btrfs filesystem df /mnt/data
sudo btrfs device usage /mnt/data
sudo btrfs device stats /mnt/data
sudo journalctl -k -bAllocated space, used space, data and metadata block groups, logical usage, and physical device free space are different measurements. Plain df can therefore appear inconsistent with Btrfs allocation; use the Btrfs-specific commands above. References: filesystem commands and device commands.
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Routine maintenance
Scrub checksums and repairs when redundancy exists
sudo btrfs scrub start -Bd /mnt/data
sudo btrfs scrub status /mnt/data
sudo btrfs scrub cancel /mnt/data
sudo btrfs scrub resume /mnt/dataScrub reads data and metadata and validates checksums. With a replicated profile such as Btrfs RAID1, it can repair a bad copy from a verified copy. On a single-copy filesystem it can usually detect an error but cannot reconstruct the missing data. Scrub is not btrfs check and can generate substantial I/O. See scrub documentation.
Balance selectively
sudo btrfs balance status /mnt/data
sudo btrfs balance start -dusage=50 /mnt/dataBalance relocates block groups to satisfy profile and usage constraints. It is useful after adding devices or changing profiles, but an unrestricted balance is poor routine advice. Check free space first: low workspace can make balancing fail. A balance is cancellable and leaves the on-disk filesystem consistent if interrupted; it is not defragmentation and does not automatically recompress file contents. See balance documentation.
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Grow a mounted filesystem after enlarging the underlying partition or block device:
sudo btrfs filesystem resize max /mnt/data
sudo btrfs filesystem resize +100G /mnt/dataTo shrink, resize Btrfs first and only then shrink the partition:
sudo btrfs filesystem resize -100G /mnt/data- Keep a verified backup.
- Confirm the partition boundary and available space.
- For growth, enlarge the block device first, then Btrfs.
- For shrink, shrink Btrfs first, then the partition.
- Never truncate the partition before Btrfs has moved data out of the removed range.
Resize support and limitations are documented in filesystem administration and feature status.
Multi-device profiles and administration
| Profile | Main characteristic | Warning |
|---|---|---|
single |
No redundant copy | Checksums can detect corruption but generally cannot repair it. |
dup |
Duplicate copies on one device, commonly for metadata | Not a substitute for a second device. |
raid0 |
Striping | No redundancy; one device failure can lose the filesystem. |
raid1 |
Two copies across devices | Capacity, device count, and allocation constraints apply. |
raid10 |
Striping across mirrored layouts | Requires an appropriate device count and arrangement. |
raid1c3/raid1c4 |
Three or four copies | Use only where your kernel and tools support the profile. |
raid5/raid6 |
Parity profiles | Version-, kernel-, distribution-, and workload-sensitive. |
Btrfs profiles have filesystem-specific behavior and are not interchangeable with every hardware RAID or mdraid design. RAID redundancy addresses some device failures, not accidental deletion, malware, theft, or every corruption scenario.
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sudo btrfs device add /dev/sdY1 /mnt/data
sudo btrfs filesystem show /mnt/data
sudo btrfs device remove /dev/sdY1 /mnt/dataAdding a device does not necessarily redistribute existing data; balance may be required to use it according to the desired profile. Removing requires enough free space elsewhere.
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For replacement, a typical command is:
sudo btrfs replace start -B /dev/sdX1 /dev/sdZ1 /mnt/data
sudo btrfs replace status /mnt/dataThe exact procedure depends on whether the filesystem is degraded and whether the old device is still available. Never pull a device from a redundant filesystem simply because it still mounts. Verify replacement completion, inspect device statistics, and run a scrub. Consult device administration and replace documentation.
Why RAID5/6 needs special caution
Do not make RAID5/6 the default for a new general-purpose installation. The status of RAID56 has historically included important limitations and is sensitive to versions, workloads, and distributions. Check the current Btrfs status page and distribution guidance before deployment, and maintain independent backups.
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Enable quotas when you need subvolume or snapshot accounting and limits, not as a mandatory setup step:
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sudo btrfs quota enable /mnt/data
sudo btrfs quota rescan -w /mnt/data
sudo btrfs qgroup show -reF /mnt/dataQgroups track space associated with subvolumes and snapshots. Snapshot-heavy systems can make accounting complex, and quotas add overhead and operational caveats. Read the quota and qgroup documentation before imposing limits.
Recovery and repair
Start with non-destructive evidence
sudo btrfs filesystem show
sudo btrfs device stats /mnt/data
sudo btrfs scrub status /mnt/data
sudo journalctl -k -b
sudo btrfs check --readonly /dev/sdX1Stop writing to a failing filesystem when practical, preserve logs, and secure a backup or image before attempting invasive work. btrfs check examines filesystem structures; it is not a routine repair tool.
Recover files or targeted metadata
sudo btrfs restore /dev/sdX1 /path/to/recovery-directory
sudo btrfs rescue super-recover /dev/sdX1Use btrfs restore and btrfs rescue only for the problem they address and with current expert guidance. Rescue operations cannot handle an ongoing replace or balance and are not substitutes for diagnosis.
Do not lead with:
sudo btrfs check --repair /dev/sdX1--repair can worsen damage. Use it only with a verified backup, a clear diagnosis, and appropriate expert advice. Documentation: check, rescue, and restore.
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A practical maintenance plan
- Record the kernel, distribution, and
btrfs-progsversions, device identifiers, profiles, UUID, and subvolume layout. - Monitor kernel logs,
btrfs device stats, filesystem usage, and scrub results. - Schedule periodic scrubs appropriate to the workload and storage size.
- Keep snapshot retention bounded and snapshot every sibling subvolume that matters.
- Send read-only snapshots to an independent destination and periodically test restoration.
- Verify device replacement and balance completion rather than assuming a command finished safely.
- Keep an offline or otherwise independent backup for theft, malware, destructive mistakes, and total-device failure.
When Btrfs is—and is not—the right choice
Btrfs is a strong fit when snapshots, checksums, subvolume organization, compression, scrub, and integrated multi-device management justify ongoing administration. A simpler filesystem may be preferable when the deployment needs minimal complexity, an application vendor documents limitations, or nobody can maintain scrubs and tested backups. No filesystem is universally best; compare snapshot support, checksumming, device management, workload compatibility, and recovery procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Btrfs snapshot a backup?
No. Snapshots share blocks with their source and remain on the same filesystem. Use an independent destination, such as a second filesystem receiving read-only send streams.
Can checksums repair a damaged file on one disk?
Checksums detect bad data. Repair normally requires a valid replicated copy or an independent backup; a single-copy profile generally cannot reconstruct it.
Why does ordinary df disagree with Btrfs usage?
Btrfs reports allocated block groups, logical usage, physical usage, and device free space separately. Use btrfs filesystem usage, filesystem df, and device usage alongside df.
Do snapshots include every mounted directory?
No. A snapshot covers one subvolume. Sibling subvolumes, such as a separately mounted home volume, must be snapshotted separately.
Can I shrink a Btrfs filesystem?
Yes, with care: shrink Btrfs first, then the underlying partition. Keep a verified backup and confirm boundaries before changing them.
Should I use Btrfs RAID5 or RAID6?
Not as a default. RAID56 support and limitations are version- and workload-sensitive; consult current status and distribution guidance before deployment.
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