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How to Show Battery Percentage in Ubuntu Linux

Richard
Written by
Richard
Aug 31, 2022 Updated Aug 13, 2026 2 min read
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Showing the battery percentage in Ubuntu Linux puts a clear number on your top bar instead of a guessing-game icon. Ubuntu versions 22.04 LTS and newer include this handy setting right out of the box.

Default battery icons often hide how much power you actually have left. Turning on the numeric display helps you track power use and avoid sudden shutdowns.

⚡ Quick Answer

Open Settings , navigate to the Power section, and toggle “Show Battery Percentage” to On. This will display the exact battery percentage in the system menu bar.

How to change battery status as a percentage in Ubuntu Linux

Ubuntu Linux allows swapping the default battery icon for a numeric percentage of charge remaining. Tracking power levels directly helps monitor laptop energy consumption and plan charging schedules effectively.

Default icons hide the exact charge remaining and fail to predict runtime. Displaying the battery status as a percentage reveals a clearer timeline before the laptop shuts down or reaches full capacity.

Here’s how the battery status looks on the System menu.

Ubuntu Linux settings menu to change battery status to percentage
ubuntu linux change battery status to percentage

Modifying the battery status display requires only a few quick adjustments.

Centralizing most configurations, user accounts, and updates, the Settings panel manages the entire operating system.

Opening the Activities overview and typing 'Settings' launches this panel.

Accessing Ubuntu Linux activities overview to find system settings
ubuntu linux activities overview

Alternatively, click the System menu in the top-right corner of your desktop and select 'Settings'.

On the System menu, select Settings, as highlighted below.

Ubuntu Linux system menu bar showing default battery icon
ubuntu linux system menu top bar settings
💡Tip
In the Settings app, click on the Power tile. Then, in the Suspend & Power Button section, set Show Battery Percentage to On or Off to enable or disable it.
Settings panel to enable battery percentage display in Ubuntu Linux
ubuntu linux show battery percentage

Closing the settings app completes the configuration process.

Ubuntu Linux top bar displaying battery status as a percentage
ubuntu linux battery status as percentage

Conclusion:

  • Changing the battery status to a percentage in Ubuntu Linux indicates the remaining battery charge.
  • By following the simple steps outlined above, users can easily enable or disable the battery percentage display on the system menu bar.
  • Understanding the battery charge level or how long it takes for the battery to run out becomes more convenient with the percentage display.

How do I check battery health on Ubuntu 24?

Open the Activities overview and start typing Power. Click Power to open the panel. The status of Batteries and known Devices is displayed.

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Richard

About the Author

Richard

Tech Writer, IT Professional

Richard, a writer for Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast who loves breaking down complex IT topics into simple, easy-to-understand ideas. With years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, he’s developed a knack for offering practical tips and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.

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