How to: Running a 32-bit or 64-bit Operating System on Raspberry Pi

Raspberry Pi devices support both 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems, depending on the model and the OS image you installed. Knowing which version you are running is important for installing compatible software, optimizing performance, and troubleshooting issues. Here are the easiest ways to check whether your Raspberry Pi OS is 32-bit or 64-bit.

1. Check Using the Terminal

The fastest and most reliable way is to use the command line.

Method A: Use `uname -m`

uname -m

You will see one of the following:

armv7l → 32-bit OS
aarch64 or arm64 → 64-bit OS

Method B: Check the Architecture from `dpkg`

dpkg --print-architecture

This returns:

armhf → 32-bit OS
arm64 → 64-bit OS

2. Verify Using the System Info Tool

If you prefer a graphical tool and are using Raspberry Pi OS with desktop, you can check from the GUI:

Open the Raspberry Pi Menu.
Go to Preferences.
Select System Info (or About on older versions).
Look for the Operating System or Architecture field.

This will clearly show whether you are running a 32-bit or 64-bit edition.

3. Check the Kernel Package Installed

You can also check which kernel package is installed:

apt list --installed | grep linux-image

Kernel names will typically include either armhf (32-bit) or arm64 (64-bit).

4. Confirm via OS Image Type

If you remember how you installed your OS, this can also confirm it:

Raspberry Pi OS (32-bit) – default older option, compatible with all Pis
Raspberry Pi OS (64-bit) – optimized for Pi 3, 4, 5, Zero 2 W

You can check your original downloaded image file (if saved) — filenames containing arm64 indicate 64-bit.

5. Why It Matters

Choosing 32-bit vs 64-bit affects:

Performance – 64-bit can speed up apps and take advantage of more RAM.
Software compatibility – some applications only support 64-bit.
Device support – older models (Pi 1, Pi 2 v1.1, Pi Zero) can only run 32-bit.

Conclusion

Checking whether your Raspberry Pi is running a 32-bit or 64-bit operating system is simple and can be done in seconds using terminal commands like uname -m or dpkg --print-architecture. Knowing your OS architecture helps ensure compatibility with software packages, improves troubleshooting, and lets you get the most out of your Raspberry Pi.