nload
nload is a real-time console network bandwidth monitoring tool that visualises inbound and outbound traffic on network interfaces. It provides two interactive graphs — one for incoming traffic and one for outgoing — with a clear numerical display of current, average, minimum, and maximum bandwidth rates. Its simple, focused interface makes it ideal for quickly assessing network utilisation.
Key Features
- Dual traffic graphs — Separate visual graphs for inbound and outbound traffic
- Traffic statistics — Current, average, minimum, and maximum bandwidth rates displayed numerically
- Total data transfer — Cumulative count of data transferred since nload started
- Multi-interface support — Arrow-key navigation between network interfaces
- Auto-scaling axes — Graphs automatically scale to match traffic levels
- Custom refresh interval — Configurable update frequency
- Colour display — Colour-coded output for clear visual distinction
Why Use It
nload is the most visually intuitive bandwidth monitor — the live graphs give an instant sense of traffic patterns that raw numbers cannot convey. It is perfect for quick checks when you want to see at a glance whether traffic is steady, bursty, or idle.
Use Cases
- Live bandwidth visualisation — Watch traffic patterns in real time with graphical display
- Network interface check — Quickly verify that an interface is passing traffic as expected
- Traffic pattern analysis — Identify whether traffic is constant or bursty
Platform
Linux, macOS (via Homebrew), BSD
Licence
GNU General Public License v2.0