# mkswap > Set up a Linux swap area on a device or in a file. > Note: `path/to/file` can either point to a regular file or a swap partition. > More information: . - Set up a given swap area: `sudo mkswap {{path/to/file}}` - Check a partition for bad blocks before creating the swap area: `sudo mkswap {{[-c|--check]}} {{path/to/file}}` - Specify a label for the partition (to allow `swapon` to use the label): `sudo mkswap {{[-L|--label]}} {{label}} {{/dev/sdXY}}` - Use the specified UUID: `sudo mkswap {{[-U|--uuid]}} {{clear|random|time|UUID_value}}` - Set up a swap file (for btrfs, see `tldr btrfs filesystem` instead): `sudo mkswap {{[-s|--size]}} {{file_size}} {{[-F|--file]}} {{path/to/swapfile}}`