---
name: "KEYCTL_CLEAR"
section: "2const"
platform: "linux"
package: "man-pages"
version: "6.19-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/KEYCTL_CLEAR"
---

# KEYCTL\_CLEAR(2const)

clear a keyring

## NAME

KEYCTL\_CLEAR - clear a keyring

## LIBRARY

Standard C library (*libc*, *-lc*)

## SYNOPSIS

```
#include <linux/keyctl.h>  /* Definition of KEY* constants */
#include <sys/syscall.h>   /* Definition of SYS_* constants */
#include <unistd.h>
```

**long syscall(SYS\_keyctl, KEYCTL\_CLEAR, key\_serial\_t** *key***);**

## DESCRIPTION

Clear the contents of (i.e., unlink all keys from) a keyring.

The ID of the key (which must be of keyring type) is provided in *key*.

The caller must have *write* permission on the keyring.

## RETURN VALUE

On success, 0 is returned.

On error, -1 is returned, and *errno* is set to indicate the error.

## VERSIONS

A wrapper is provided in the *libkeyutils* library: [**keyctl\_clear**(3)](/keyctl_clear/3.md).

## STANDARDS

Linux.

## HISTORY

Linux 2.6.10.

## SEE ALSO

[**keyctl**(2)](/keyctl/2.md), [**keyctl\_clear**(3)](/keyctl_clear/3.md)