How do I add a new user in Linux?

Last updated: March 28, 2011

To add a new user from the command line in Linux use the useradd command.

The syntax for this command is like this:

# useradd username

This will (depending on your system's default config) create the user and the users home directory usually at /home/username

If your system is not configured by default to create the user's home directory you can use the m option to do so upon account creation.

# useradd -m username

If you want to create the user but do not want to create the home directory use the M option.

# useradd -M username

Tags: linux, bash, cli, users