How to Clear the Terminal Screen in Linux [4 Quick Ways]

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Last updated: July 24, 2024

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TL;DR

To clear the Terminal screen in Linux, try these methods:

  1. Clear Command: Type clear in the terminal and press Enter to immediately clear the screen.
  2. Shortcut Keys: Press Ctrl + L to quickly clear the terminal screen.

Find out more about how to clear the Terminal screen in Linux, including common troubleshooting methods and quick tips in my detailed guide below.

Working in the Linux terminal can get messy quickly, with commands and outputs piling up. But there are simple ways to clear the terminal screen to keep your workspace clean and organized. In this post, I’ll show you several methods to clear the terminal, from basic commands to advanced customization options.

You’ll also learn troubleshooting tips to handle common issues. By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly how to maintain an efficient and tidy terminal environment, improving your productivity and making your Linux experience smoother.

Why Clearing the Terminal Screen Is Useful

Clearing the terminal screen is helpful for several reasons. Here are the main benefits:

  • Remove Clutter: When you run many commands, the terminal screen can get crowded with output. Clearing the screen helps you remove this clutter, making it easier to focus on your current task.
  • Improve Readability: By clearing the screen, you get a clean slate. This makes it easier to read and understand the results of your next commands without getting confused by old outputs.
  • Organize Work: If you work on multiple tasks, clearing the screen helps you organize your work. You can start fresh for each new task, which keeps things tidy and manageable.
  • Presentation and Demonstration: When you show someone how to do something in the terminal, a clear screen looks more professional and is easier for others to follow.
  • Troubleshooting: Sometimes, errors and outputs from previous commands can interfere with troubleshooting. Clearing the screen helps you see only the relevant information, making it easier to identify and fix issues.

How to Clear the Terminal Screen in Linux [4 Easy Methods]

To clear the terminal screen in Linux, you can use several methods. Type clear and press Enter to remove all visible text, or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + L for a quick clear. Another option is to type reset and press Enter, which clears the screen and resets the terminal settings. You can also customize terminal emulator options to suit your preferences for clearing the screen.

Here’s the breakdown for each method:

1. Clear Command

The clear command is a simple yet effective way to clear your Terminal screen. It sends a special character sequence to the Terminal, which instructs it to reset and clear the screen. Let’s try this method here:

  1. Launch the Terminal window on your Linux machine.
launch the terminal window
  1. Run some commands like sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade to clutter the screen. But in case your Terminal screen is already filled up, just move on to the next step.
run some commands
  1. Now, type clear and press Enter.
type clear and press enter
  1. Once this command executes, it will clear the Terminal screen immediately.
clear the terminal screen immediately

2. Shortcut Keys

Shortcut keys provide a quick and convenient method for clearing the Terminal screen. Here’s the step-by-step guide to using these shortcuts:

  1. Press Ctrl + Alt + T to launch the Terminal window.
launch the terminal window shortcut
  1. Once the Terminal is open, run any command to populate the screen. You can run sudo apt update.
run any command to populate the screen
  1. Then, press Ctrl + L to clear the Terminal screen.
to clear the terminal screen
  1. The Terminal screen will be cleared instantly.
terminal screen will be cleared instantly

3. Shell Command

Shell commands offer another way to clear the Terminal screen. The reset command, for instance, can be used to clear the Terminal screen and reset the Terminal settings to their defaults. Here’s how you can use this method:

  1. In the Terminal window, execute some commands to fill up the screen. Here, I’ve used sudo apt upgrade.
execute some commands to fill up the screen
  1. Type reset and press Enter.
type reset and press enter
  1. The Terminal screen will be cleared, and its settings will be reset to default.
terminal screen will be cleared and its settings will be reset

4. Customization Options

Some Terminal emulators offer advanced customization options for clearing the screen. These options can be configured to suit your preferences.

  1. Open the Terminal Settings or Preferences menu.
terminal settings or preferences menu
  1. Navigate to Shortcuts, and then locate the Reset and Clear option in the list.
navigate to shortcuts and then locate the reset and clear
  1. Simply click or press Enter on the selected text field to configure the desired settings, such as key bindings or behavior. Then, close and restart the Terminal if necessary.
simply click or press enter to configure the desired settings
  1. Now, run any random command to fill the Terminal window.
run any random command to fill the terminal window
  1. Now, press Alt + R to clear the Terminal screen.
to clear the terminal screen linux

Clearing vs. Resetting the Terminal: What’s the Difference?

When working in the Linux terminal, you might need to clear or reset your screen. Although these actions seem similar, they serve different purposes and have distinct effects. Here’s a quick guide to understanding the differences between clearing and resetting the terminal.

FeatureClearing the TerminalResetting the Terminal
PurposeRemove all visible text from the screenRestore terminal to default settings, fix issues
Commandclearreset
ShortcutCtrl + LN/A
EffectHides previous output, keeps command historyClears screen and scrollback buffer, resets settings
What HappensText removed but history accessible by scrolling upReinitializes terminal, fixes display/input issues
Use CaseRemove screen clutter, keep command historyFix garbled text, display issues, or unresponsive input

3 Common Troubleshooting Terminal Clearing Issues

If you expereince issues when clearing the Terminal screen, such as improper cleaning, flickering, or residual artifacts, consider these three effective solutions to resolve the problem and achieve a seamless experience:

1. Update Your Terminal Emulator

Outdated Terminal emulators may exhibit unexpected behavior. Ensure you are using the latest version of Terminal by checking for updates based on your Linux distro. Use the sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade command to update your Terminal emulator.

update your terminal emulator

2. Check for Hardware Issues

Graphics cards or display issues could cause flickering or artifacts. Test your hardware and troubleshoot any problems. You can use the lspci | grep -i vga command to check for hardware information. If there are any issues, consult the manufacturer’s documentation or seek assistance from technical support.

check for hardware issues

3. Check Terminal Compatibility

Terminal emulators may have varying degrees of compatibility with different shell environments. Some emulators work better with certain shells than others. If you’re experiencing clearing issues, try using a different terminal emulator to see if the problem persists. Popular alternatives include Konsole, Tilix, Alacritty, and iTerm2.

check terminal compatibility

5 Quick Tips for Terminal Screen in Linux

To enhance your Linux Terminal experience and boost your productivity, you should follow these five quick tips. They will empower you to navigate the command line like a pro and accomplish tasks with much more efficiency:

  • ♻️ Reuse previous commands: Press the Up arrow key to cycle through your command history, saving time by reusing previous commands. This is especially useful when you need to repeat a command or slightly modify a previously executed command.
  • 🔎 Autocomplete commands: Press the Tab key to autocomplete commands and file paths. This feature can save you time and minimize typing errors. When you start typing a command or file path and press Tab, the Terminal will automatically complete it based on the available options, or it will show you a list of possible options.
  • ⌨️ Learn keyboard shortcuts: Familiarize yourself with various keyboard shortcuts to navigate and manage the Terminal screen efficiently. For example, Ctrl + C stops the currently running command, Ctrl + D logs out of the current session, Ctrl + Z suspends the currently running process, and Ctrl + L clears the Terminal screen. Exploring and mastering these shortcuts can significantly speed up your workflow.
  • 💻 Customize your Terminal: Personalize your Terminal by adjusting the colors, fonts, and layout to create a comfortable and efficient workspace. Most Terminal emulators provide options to customize the appearance, such as changing the background and foreground colors, modifying the font size and type, and configuring the Terminal window size and position.
  • 🔀 Use aliases: To minimize typing and streamline your workflow, create aliases for frequently used commands. For example, you can create an alias for the ls -l command, so instead of typing this command, you can simply use your defined alias, such as ll.

To Sum Up

In this article, I have talked about different ways to clear the terminal screen in Linux, like using the clear command, shortcut keys, shell commands, and customization options. I have also discussed the differences between clearing and resetting the terminal and shared troubleshooting tips.

To deepen your Linux knowledge, I suggest checking out:

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the advantages of clearing the Terminal screen?

Clearing the Terminal screen offers several advantages. It helps maintain an organized and clutter-free working environment, reducing visual distractions and allowing you to focus on new commands and output. Additionally, a clear screen enhances readability, making locating and reviewing information easier, leading to improved navigation efficiency and productivity.

Can I recover cleared output or commands?

While it is not possible to recover cleared output directly, you can still access previous commands using the command history feature. By pressing the Up arrow key, you can cycle through your command history and retrieve previously executed commands. This feature is a helpful way to review, modify, or reuse previously entered commands, saving time and minimizing the need for retyping.

Are there any risks involved in clearing the Terminal screen?

Clearing the Terminal screen is generally safe and poses no significant risks. However, it is essential to understand that once the screen is cleared, the previous output and commands are permanently erased. Therefore, it is crucial to exercise caution and ensure that you have extracted any necessary information or recorded important outputs before clearing the screen.

Can I customize the appearance of the cleared screen?

Absolutely! You can customize the appearance of your cleared Terminal screen by adjusting settings such as colors, fonts, and layouts in your Terminal emulator’s preferences or configuration menu. Each Terminal emulator provides options for customization, allowing you to personalize the appearance of the cleared screen to suit your preferences and create a visually pleasing and comfortable working environment. Explore the settings of your Terminal emulator to unleash the potential of customization and tailor it to your liking.

Ojash

Author

Ojash is a skilled Linux expert and tech writer with over a decade of experience. He has extensive knowledge of Linux's file system, command-line interface, and software installations. Ojash is also an expert in shell scripting and automation, with experience in Bash, Python, and Perl. He has published numerous articles on Linux in various online publications, making him a valuable resource for both seasoned Linux users and beginners. Ojash is also an active member of the Linux community and participates in Linux forums.

Akshat

Reviewer

Akshat is a software engineer, product designer and the co-founder of Scrutify. He's an experienced Linux professional and the senior editor of this blog. He is also an open-source contributor to many projects on Github and has written several technical guides on Linux. Apart from that, he’s also actively sharing his ideas and tutorials on Medium and Attirer. As the editor of this blog, Akshat brings his wealth of knowledge and experience to provide readers with valuable insights and advice on a wide range of Linux-related topics.

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