How to Create Directory in Linux: Simple mkdir Command Guide

To create a directory in Linux, use the mkdir command followed by the directory name. For example, mkdir myfolder creates a new directory named myfolder in the current location.

Syntax

The basic syntax to create a directory is:

• mkdir [options] directory_name

Here, mkdir is the command, directory_name is the name of the directory you want to create, and [options] are optional flags to modify behavior.

Common options include:

• -p: Create parent directories as needed.
• -v: Show messages for each created directory.

bash

mkdir [options] directory_name

Example

This example creates a directory named projects in the current folder and then creates nested directories projects/python/scripts using the -p option.

bash

mkdir projects
mkdir -p projects/python/scripts
ls -R projects

Output

projects:
python

projects/python:
scripts

projects/python/scripts:

Common Pitfalls

Some common mistakes when creating directories include:

• Trying to create a directory that already exists without -p, which causes an error.
• Not having permission to create directories in the target location.
• Using spaces in directory names without quotes, causing errors.

Example of wrong and right usage:

bash

mkdir my folder
mkdir "my folder"

Output

mkdir: cannot create directory ‘my’: No such file or directory

(no error for second command, directory created)

Quick Reference

Command	Description
mkdir directory_name	Create a single directory
mkdir -p path/to/directory	Create nested directories, including parents
mkdir -v directory_name	Show message for each directory created
mkdir -m 755 directory_name	Set permissions while creating directory

Key Takeaways

Use mkdir directory_name to create a new directory in Linux.

Add -p to create nested directories in one command without errors.

Quote directory names with spaces to avoid errors.

Check permissions if directory creation fails.

Use -v to see confirmation messages when creating directories.