---
name: "MB_CUR_MAX"
section: "3"
platform: "linux"
package: "man-pages"
version: "6.19-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/MB_CUR_MAX"
---

# MB\_CUR\_MAX(3)

maximum length of a multibyte character in the current locale

## NAME

MB\_CUR\_MAX - maximum length of a multibyte character in the current locale

## LIBRARY

Standard C library (*libc*)

## SYNOPSIS

```
#include <stdlib.h>
```

## DESCRIPTION

The **MB\_CUR\_MAX** macro defines an integer expression giving the maximum number of bytes needed to represent a single wide character in the current locale. This value is locale dependent and therefore not a compile-time constant.

## RETURN VALUE

An integer in the range \[1, **MB\_LEN\_MAX**\]. The value 1 denotes traditional 8-bit encoded characters.

## STANDARDS

C11, POSIX.1-2024.

## HISTORY

C99, POSIX.1-2001.

## SEE ALSO

[**MB\_LEN\_MAX**(3)](/MB_LEN_MAX/3.md), [**mblen**(3)](/mblen/3.md), [**mbstowcs**(3)](/mbstowcs/3.md), [**mbtowc**(3)](/mbtowc/3.md), [**wcstombs**(3)](/wcstombs/3.md), [**wctomb**(3)](/wctomb/3.md)