How to show Mac CPU usage and memory in the menu bar
Use a menu bar monitor for an at-a-glance view of Mac CPU and memory. Use the built-in Activity Monitor to find which app is using resources. The two work well together.
Set up CPU and memory readings with mStat
- Check that your Mac runs macOS 15 or later. mStat supports Apple Silicon and Intel, is free on the Mac App Store, and requires no mStat account.
- Launch mStat and find its status item in the menu bar at the top of your screen. Right-click the item for the app menu, then open Settings.
- Select CPU and memory in the Menu Bar section. You can show up to three readings, so add network or battery if needed. Drag the tags to reorder them. Disk information is in the full panel.
- Choose icon + value, two-line compact or mini chart. Left-click the status item to see per-core CPU load, memory breakdown and memory pressure in the full panel.
How do I find the app behind high CPU usage?
Compiling code or exporting video can raise CPU usage; a high reading alone does not prove a fault. mStat shows overall and per-core load. To investigate an individual app, open Activity Monitor with Spotlight, choose CPU and sort by % CPU. Do not force-quit system processes just because their usage is high.
Does high memory usage mean I need more RAM?
Not necessarily. macOS uses spare memory to cache files and compresses memory when needed. Memory pressure gives more context than used gigabytes alone. mStat shows capacity, a usage breakdown and pressure in its full panel. For swap usage or an individual app's memory use, open the Memory tab in Activity Monitor.
Can I check Mac CPU and memory without installing an app?
Yes. Activity Monitor is included with macOS and shows processes, CPU and memory. View > Dock Icon can also show CPU activity in the Dock, rather than the menu bar. mStat keeps frequently checked readings in the menu bar; it does not replace Activity Monitor's per-process diagnosis.
How do I balance fresh readings and power saving?
mStat updates its menu bar and panel every second by default. Power saving changes the closed-panel interval to 30 seconds; the open panel still updates every second. Disk is read every 60 seconds and battery updates are event-driven. These are refresh rules, not a measured energy-use comparison with other apps.
What if the menu bar icon disappears?
A crowded menu bar or a notched display can leave too little room for the status item. Select fewer readings or try icon only or two-line compact. Icon only does not show numbers, so open the full panel when you need them. See Support for more installation and display questions.