A hardware command queue for mass storage systems having a memory device. A plurality of entries are defined in the memory device, at least some of which are active entries. At least some of the active entries correspond to pending access commands and at least one entry is a head entry corresponding to an in-flight access command. A physical target location is stored in each active entry and a computed servo distance value is stored in each active entry. A link list including pointers defining an execution sequence is stored with the command queue.