> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://linuxhandbook.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# How to Go to Root Directory in Linux
- URL: https://linuxhandbook.com/faq/go-to-root-directory/
- Published: 2025-03-28T06:59:12.000Z
- Updated: 2025-03-28T06:59:12.000Z
- Description: Learn how to navigate to the root directory in Linux with a simple command. Understand the differences between / and /root, plus practical navigation tips for beginners.
- Author: Abhishek Prakash
- Tags: FAQ

***Que: How do I go to the root directory in Linux command line?***

The simple answer is, you type the [cd command](https://linuxhandbook.com/cd-command-examples/) like this:

```
cd /
```

That will put you in the root directory, which is the starting point for the [Linux directory structure](https://linuxhandbook.com/linux-directory-structure/).

![Linux directory structure](https://linuxhandbook.com/content/images/2025/03/image-1.png)

If you want to go to the /root directory (i.e. home directory of the root user), you'll have to use:

```
cd /root
```

I know that a new Linux users can be confused with the notation of root directory (`/`) and the `/root` directory.

## Understand the difference between / and /root

New Linux users often confuse two important concepts: the root directory (`/`) and the root user's home directory (`/root`). They sound similar but serve different purposes:

**The root directory (`/`):**

- This is the primary directory that contains all other directories and files on your Linux system
- It's the starting point of the filesystem hierarchy
- All paths in Linux begin from this location
- You can access it using `cd /` regardless of your current location

**The root user's home directory (`/root`):**

- This is the home directory for the root user (the superuser with all the access)
- It's located at `/root` (a directory inside the root directory)
- Regular users may or may not have permission to access this directory

Learn more about the Linux directory structure in the [GNU/Linux filesystem documentation](https://tldp.org/LDP/Linux-Filesystem-Hierarchy/html/index.html?ref=linuxhandbook.com).

💡

Navigating to the root directory doesn't require special privileges. A non-root user can also enter the root directory. However, modifying files there requires root permissions.

## Understanding / as root directory vs directory separator

![Forward slash used as root and as directory separator](https://linuxhandbook.com/content/images/2025/03/image.png)

The forward slash (`/`) in Linux serves dual purposes, which can be confusing for newcomers:

**As the root directory:**

- When used alone or at the beginning of a path, it refers to the root directory
- Example: `cd /` or `cd /home/user`

**As a directory separator:**

- When used between directory names, it separates different levels in the path
- Example: In `/home/user/Documents`, the slashes separate the directories

This dual usage is important to understand for proper navigation. When you see a path like `/var/log/syslog`:

- The first `/` indicates we're starting from the root directory
- The subsequent `/` characters are separators between directories

```bash
# Go to a directory using an absolute path (starting from root)
cd /var/log

# Go to a directory using a relative path (from current location)
cd Documents/Projects
```

## 💡Use special navigation shortcuts

Linux provides handy shortcuts for directory navigation:

```bash
cd /         # Go to root directory
cd ~         # Go to your home directory
cd -         # Go to previous directory
cd ..        # Go up one level
cd ../..     # Go up two levels
```

These shortcuts save time and make navigation more efficient.

## Conclusion

Understanding how to navigate to and from the root directory is fundamental to working effectively in Linux. The root directory (`/`) serves as the foundation of your filesystem, distinct from the root user's home directory (`/root`).

By mastering the concepts of [absolute vs relative paths](https://linuxhandbook.com/absolute-vs-relative-path/) and understanding the dual role of the forward slash, you'll be well-equipped to navigate your Linux system confidently.