diff --git a/common/src/main/java/io/netty/util/internal/PlatformDependent.java b/common/src/main/java/io/netty/util/internal/PlatformDependent.java
index 8696996fcb..7614ff9bd9 100644
--- a/common/src/main/java/io/netty/util/internal/PlatformDependent.java
+++ b/common/src/main/java/io/netty/util/internal/PlatformDependent.java
@@ -288,6 +288,16 @@ public final class PlatformDependent {
         return DIRECT_MEMORY_LIMIT;
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Returns the current memory reserved for direct buffer allocation.
+     * This method returns -1 in case that a value is not available.
+     *
+     * @see #maxDirectMemory()
+     */
+    public static long usedDirectMemory() {
+        return DIRECT_MEMORY_COUNTER != null ? DIRECT_MEMORY_COUNTER.get() : -1;
+    }
+
     /**
      * Returns the temporary directory.
      */