How can I tell if I am using the hard-float or the soft-float version of Debian/Raspbian?

Question

Let's assume that I am dropped into a room with a Raspberry Pi running either Debian or Raspbian. How do I find out if it has hard float support or if it is just using soft float?

ikku · Accepted Answer · 2013-01-26T11:42:52.527

55

Check for the existence of the directory:

/lib/arm-linux-gnueabihf

the soft-float version do not have this directory, they have:

/lib/arm-linux-gnueabi

instead, or you can list the packages installed using:

dpkg -l

and see the platform in the third column (all/armhf/armel)

edited Jan 26 '13 at 11:42

answered Jan 26 '13 at 11:36

ikku

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Since someone just misinterpreted this, to make it absolutely clear: If you have a /lib/arm-linux-gnueabihf, your system is hard-float. – goldilocks Mar 25 '15 at 16:16

score 24 · Answer 2 · answered Aug 16 '17 at 05:29

24

The accepted answer is correct, but a really simple method is:

dpkg --print-architecture

If your system is using a hard float architecture, you will then see:

armhf

ARM Hard Float. :-)

answered Aug 16 '17 at 05:29

Chris

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score 5 · Answer 3 · answered Aug 06 '17 at 07:41

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Issue the command:

readelf -A $(which dpkg)

On a hard-float (hf) system, you will see this as part of the output:

Tag_ABI_VFP_args: VFP registers

See http://www.cnx-software.com/2013/04/22/how-to-detect-if-an-arm-elf-binary-is-hard-float-armhf-or-soft-float-armel/

answered Aug 06 '17 at 07:41

Will

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This also works on custom, non-Debian, non-Raspberry systems. I like that. – Johannes Overmann Dec 12 '18 at 08:59

How can I tell if I am using the hard-float or the soft-float version of Debian/Raspbian?

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