> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.freakhosting.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # How to Extend a Partition with growpart and resize2fs > Extend a partition after a disk upgrade: run growpart /dev/vda 1, then resize2fs /dev/vda1 for ext4 or xfs_growfs / for XFS. No reboot or unmount needed. After a disk upgrade, Linux sees the bigger disk but your partition and file system keep their old size. Extend the partition with `sudo growpart /dev/vda 1`, then grow the file system: `sudo resize2fs /dev/vda1` for ext4, or `sudo xfs_growfs /` for XFS. Both can grow while the server is running. Check the result with `df -h /`. | Difficulty | Time | Works on | Needs | | - | - | - | - | | Intermediate | 10 minutes | Ubuntu, Debian, AlmaLinux, Rocky Linux, Fedora | sudo, a backup, a disk that is already bigger | ## Before you start * **Take a backup first.** Changing a partition table on a live disk is safe when done right, but a mistake can make the server unbootable. On a VPS, take a [panel backup](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-schedule-and-restore-backups.md) right before you start; also see [back up a Linux server](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-back-up-a-linux-server.md). * [Connect with SSH](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-connect-to-a-linux-server-with-ssh.md). Commands use `sudo`; root users can leave it out. * Have a way in if SSH stops working: on a VPS, the [VNC console](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-enable-and-use-vnc-console-access.md) and [rescue mode](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-use-rescue-mode.md); on a dedicated server, your KVM/IPMI console or a [ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php). * If your root file system is on **LVM** (the `TYPE` column shows `lvm`), follow these steps up to the partition, then continue in [use LVM on Linux](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-use-lvm-on-linux.md). > [!WARNING] > > Never delete and recreate a partition by hand unless you know the exact start sector. `growpart` only moves the end of the partition and keeps your data in place. Only **grow**: shrinking a partition below the size of its file system destroys data. ## How to check that the disk is bigger ```bash theme={null} lsblk -o NAME,SIZE,TYPE,FSTYPE,MOUNTPOINTS /dev/vda ``` ```text theme={null} NAME SIZE TYPE FSTYPE MOUNTPOINTS vda 160G disk ├─vda1 79G part ext4 / ├─vda14 4M part └─vda15 106M part vfat /boot/efi ``` The disk (`vda`) is 160G, but the root partition (`vda1`) is still 79G. If the disk still shows the old size, reboot the server and check again. Your disk may be named differently: `/dev/sda` on SATA/SAS, `/dev/nvme0n1` on NVMe (partition `/dev/nvme0n1p1`). On a VPS, the [Storage page](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-view-and-manage-vps-storage.md) shows the disk size. ## How to install growpart > [tab] Ubuntu / Debian > > ```bash theme={null} > sudo apt update && sudo apt install cloud-guest-utils > ``` > [tab] AlmaLinux / Rocky / Fedora > > ```bash theme={null} > sudo dnf install cloud-utils-growpart > ``` ## How to grow the partition and file system **1. Preview the change** ```bash theme={null} sudo growpart --dry-run /dev/vda 1 ``` Note the space between the disk (`/dev/vda`) and the partition number (`1`). For NVMe use `sudo growpart /dev/nvme0n1 1`. **2. Grow the partition** ```bash theme={null} sudo growpart /dev/vda 1 ``` ```text theme={null} CHANGED: partition=1 start=227328 old: size=165431263 end=165658590 new: size=335316959 end=335544286 ``` `NOCHANGE: partition 1 is size … it cannot be grown` means there is no free space directly after the partition. **3. Check the file system type** ```bash theme={null} df -T / ``` **4. Grow the file system** > [tab] ext4 > > ```bash theme={null} > sudo resize2fs /dev/vda1 > ``` > > ```text theme={null} > Filesystem at /dev/vda1 is mounted on /; on-line resizing required > The filesystem on /dev/vda1 is now 41914619 (4k) blocks long. > ``` > [tab] XFS > > `xfs_growfs` takes the **mount point**, not the device: > > ```bash theme={null} > sudo xfs_growfs / > ``` > > ```text theme={null} > data blocks changed from 20678907 to 41914619 > ``` ## How to check it worked ```bash theme={null} df -h / ``` ```text theme={null} Filesystem Size Used Avail Use% Mounted on /dev/vda1 157G 31G 120G 21% / ``` The `Size` column now shows the larger size. No reboot is needed. ## What if the root partition is not the last one? `growpart` can only extend a partition into free space directly after it. If another partition, such as a swap partition, sits after root, `growpart` reports `NOCHANGE`. Options: * Leave root as it is and use the new space as a separate partition: create it with `parted` and mount it as in [mount a new disk](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-mount-a-new-disk-on-linux.md). * Remove the swap partition (turn it off with `swapoff` and remove it from `/etc/fstab` first), grow root, then use a [swap file](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-add-swap-space-on-linux.md) instead. Only do this with a fresh backup and console access. ## Frequently asked questions ### Do I need to reboot or unmount to resize? No. ext4 and XFS both grow while mounted, including `/`. A reboot is only needed if the kernel does not see the new disk size yet. ### Can I shrink an XFS file system? No. XFS cannot be shrunk. ext4 can be shrunk, but only while unmounted, for example from rescue mode, and it is risky without a backup. ### Why does resize2fs say "Nothing to do!"? The partition has not been grown yet, or `growpart` failed. Run `lsblk` and check the partition size first. ### I upgraded my plan but the disk is the same size. What now? Reboot once and check `lsblk` again. If the disk is still the old size, check the [Storage page](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-view-and-manage-vps-storage.md) or [open a ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php). ## Related guides > [card] [VPS and dedicated server guides](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/vps-and-dedicated-server-guides.md) > > Every guide in this section. > [card] [Use LVM on Linux](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-use-lvm-on-linux.md) > > Extend a logical volume after growing the disk. > [card] [Mount a new disk](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-mount-a-new-disk-on-linux.md) > > Format and mount extra disks. > [card] [Check disk space](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-check-disk-space-on-linux.md) > > Confirm the new free space. > [card] [VPS storage](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-view-and-manage-vps-storage.md) > > See your disk size in the panel. *** > [!NOTE] > > **Checked against the official [Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 guide to increasing an XFS file system](https://docs.redhat.com/en/documentation/red_hat_enterprise_linux/9/html/managing_file_systems/increasing-the-size-of-an-xfs-file-system_managing-file-systems) and the `growpart` and `resize2fs` manual pages** on 4 November 2026; `growpart`, online `xfs_growfs` and offline `resize2fs` tested on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS using loop devices. Commands can differ on other distributions or releases. > [!NOTE] > > ### Need Extra Help? > > If you encounter any issues, our support team is ready to assist: > > * **Live Chat:** Quick assistance via our website. > * **Support Ticket:** [Open a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php) > * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting) > * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com) > [!TIP] > > ### Save on Your Hosting > > Ready to upgrade your hosting? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first order! *** **Last Updated:** November 2026 This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.