CPU(s) load average

The load average is the average of the CPU load in a given period of time. It takes into account processes that are:

• Actively running on a CPU
• Considered runnable, but waiting for a CPU to become available
• Sleeping: i.e. waiting for some kind of resource (typically, I/O) to become available

$ w
$ top (also shows real-time processes)
$ uptime

The CPU load is summarised in a line with 3 values which are 0.00 to 1.00. Translated in percentages 0% to 100%. If more than 1.00, the CPU is overloaded. If it's too high, there is probably some process in a non-responding state.

• The first value is related to the last minute
• The second value is related to the last 5 minutes
• The first value is related to the last 15 minutes