Resident memory and virtual size tell different stories.
Section: Terminal quirks and interpretation tips
Distinguish RES from VIRT
text
text
RES = resident RAM in use; VIRT = virtual address space reserved or mapped.Explanation
Large VIRT values do not always mean equally large real memory pressure.
Learn the surrounding workflow
Compare similar commands or jump into common fixes when this command is part of a bigger troubleshooting path.
Related commands
Same sheet · prioritizing Terminal quirks and interpretation tips
Use monochrome when colors render poorly
Work around bad terminal color support.
Use a focused PID list in narrow terminals
Reduce clutter when columns wrap or truncate heavily.
Interpret CPU% carefully on multicore systems
One process can exceed 100% if it uses multiple cores.
Pair htop with vmstat during swap pressure
Cross-check memory pressure with a textual system tool.