lsusb Command
Intermediate System Information man(1)List USB devices
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📅 Updated: Mar 15, 2026
SYNTAX
lsusb [OPTION]...
What Does lsusb Do?
lsusb lists all USB devices connected to the system. It shows the bus number, device number, vendor ID, product ID, and device description for each USB device.
lsusb is useful for identifying connected USB devices, troubleshooting USB connections, finding vendor:product IDs for driver configuration, and inventorying peripherals.
lsusb reads from the sysfs USB device tree and the USB ID database for human-readable descriptions.
lsusb is useful for identifying connected USB devices, troubleshooting USB connections, finding vendor:product IDs for driver configuration, and inventorying peripherals.
lsusb reads from the sysfs USB device tree and the USB ID database for human-readable descriptions.
Options & Flags
| Option | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -v | Verbose — show detailed device info | lsusb -v |
| -t | Show device tree hierarchy | lsusb -t |
| -s | Show specific bus:device | lsusb -s 001:003 |
| -d | Show devices by vendor:product ID | lsusb -d 046d: |
Practical Examples
#1 List USB devices
Shows all connected USB devices.
$ lsusb
Output:
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 001 Device 003: ID 046d:c52b Logitech, Inc. Wireless Mouse
#2 Device tree
Shows USB device hierarchy with speed information.
$ lsusb -t
Output:
/: Bus 01.Port 1: Dev 1, Class=root_hub, Driver=xhci_hcd, 480M
#3 Verbose device info
Shows detailed information about a specific USB device.
$ lsusb -v -s 001:003#4 Find by vendor
Shows all Logitech devices (vendor ID 046d).
$ lsusb -d 046d:#5 Check USB storage
Finds USB mass storage devices (flash drives, external disks).
$ lsusb | grep -i storageTips & Best Practices
Check dmesg after plugging in: After connecting a USB device, run dmesg -T | tail to see kernel detection messages and any errors.
Vendor:product IDs: The hex IDs (e.g., 046d:c52b) are useful for configuring udev rules and finding drivers online.
USB database updates: If devices show as "Unknown", update the USB ID database: sudo update-usbids.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I see connected USB devices?
Run lsusb for a list. Use lsusb -t for a tree view showing USB hierarchy and speeds.
How do I find the vendor/product ID?
lsusb shows IDs in the format ID vendor:product. These hex codes identify the device for driver configuration.
Why is my USB device not showing?
Check dmesg -T | tail for errors. The device may need drivers, or the USB port may have issues.
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