---
name: "CURLINFO_PRETRANSFER_TIME"
section: "3"
platform: "macos"
package: "curl"
version: "166.0.0.0.1"
release: "macOS 26.5"
platforms: ["linux", "macos"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/CURLINFO_PRETRANSFER_TIME"
---

# CURLINFO\_PRETRANSFER\_TIME(3)

get the time until the file transfer start

## NAME

CURLINFO\_PRETRANSFER\_TIME - get the time until the file transfer start

## SYNOPSIS

```
#include <curl/curl.h>
CURLcode curl_easy_getinfo(CURL *handle, CURLINFO_PRETRANSFER_TIME,
                           double *timep);
```

## DESCRIPTION

Pass a pointer to a double to receive the time, in seconds, it took from the start until the file transfer is just about to begin.

This time-stamp includes all pre-transfer commands and negotiations that are specific to the particular protocol(s) involved. It includes the sending of the protocol-specific instructions that trigger a transfer.

When a redirect is followed, the time from each request is added together.

See also the TIMES overview in the *[curl\_easy\_getinfo(3)](/curl_easy_getinfo/3.md)* man page.

## PROTOCOLS

All

## EXAMPLE

```
int main(void)
{
  CURL *curl = curl_easy_init();
  if(curl) {
    CURLcode res;
    double pretransfer;
    curl_easy_setopt(curl, CURLOPT_URL, "https://example.com");
    res = curl_easy_perform(curl);
    if(CURLE_OK == res) {
      res = curl_easy_getinfo(curl, CURLINFO_PRETRANSFER_TIME, &pretransfer);
      if(CURLE_OK == res) {
        printf("Time: %.1f", pretransfer);
      }
    }
    /* always cleanup */
    curl_easy_cleanup(curl);
  }
}
```

## AVAILABILITY

Added in 7.4.1

## RETURN VALUE

Returns CURLE\_OK if the option is supported, and CURLE\_UNKNOWN\_OPTION if not.

## SEE ALSO

[**CURLINFO\_CONNECT\_TIME\_T**(3)](/CURLINFO_CONNECT_TIME_T/3.md), [**CURLINFO\_PRETRANSFER\_TIME\_T**(3)](/CURLINFO_PRETRANSFER_TIME_T/3.md), [**curl\_easy\_getinfo**(3)](/curl_easy_getinfo/3.md), [**curl\_easy\_setopt**(3)](/curl_easy_setopt/3.md)