The process that creates the tracks and sectors on a blank hard disk or floppy disk; sometimes called the physical format. Most hard disks are already low-level formatted; however, floppy disks receive both a low and a high-level format (or logical format) when you use the DOS or OS/2 command FORMAT.

Formatting which takes place during the manufacturing process. Low-level formatting checks the integrity of the entire data recording area and divides the recording surface into user and spare sector area. The locations of any defective sectors are recorded to prevent future access. Also known as media certification.

To arrange the pattern of magnetic tracks and sectors of a hard disk. Low-level formats are often unnecessary and may be used only on a new hard disk for the first time. After performing a low-level format on a new hard disk, you then must use the MS-DOS FORMAT command to perform a high-level format.