mkdosfs

creates MS-DOS FAT filesystems

TLDR

Create FAT filesystem

$ mkdosfs [/dev/sdb1]

Create FAT32

$ mkdosfs -F [32] [/dev/sdb1]

Create FAT16

$ mkdosfs -F [16] [/dev/sdb1]

Set volume label

$ mkdosfs -n "[LABEL]" [/dev/sdb1]

Verbose output

$ mkdosfs -v [/dev/sdb1]

Check for bad blocks

$ mkdosfs -c [/dev/sdb1]

SYNOPSIS

mkdosfs [options] device

DESCRIPTION

mkdosfs creates MS-DOS FAT filesystems. It formats devices with FAT12, FAT16, or FAT32.
The tool is also known as mkfs.fat. Used for USB drives and compatibility.

PARAMETERS

DEVICE

Block device or image file.

-F SIZE

FAT size (12, 16, or 32).

-n LABEL

Volume label.

-c

Check for bad blocks.

-v

Verbose output.

--help

Display help information.

CAVEATS

Destroys existing data. Choose correct FAT type. Root required.

HISTORY

mkdosfs is part of dosfstools, providing FAT filesystem creation on Linux.