# 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 {{path/to/file}}` - Specify a label for the partition (to allow `swapon` to use the label): `sudo mkswap -L {{label}} {{/dev/sda1}}`