---
name: "SDL_DisplayFormat"
section: "3"
platform: "linux"
package: "libsdl1.2-dev"
version: "1.2.15+dfsg2-8"
release: "Debian 12 (Bookworm)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/SDL_DisplayFormat"
---

# SDL\_DisplayFormat(3)

Convert a surface to the display format

## NAME

SDL\_DisplayFormat - Convert a surface to the display format

## SYNOPSIS

**#include "SDL.h"**

**SDL\_Surface \*SDL\_DisplayFormat**(**SDL\_Surface \*surface**);

## DESCRIPTION

This function takes a surface and copies it to a new surface of the pixel format and colors of the video framebuffer, suitable for fast blitting onto the display surface. It calls *SDL\_ConvertSurface*

If you want to take advantage of hardware colorkey or alpha blit acceleration, you should set the colorkey and alpha value before calling this function.

If you want an alpha channel, see *SDL\_DisplayFormatAlpha*.

## RETURN VALUE

If the conversion fails or runs out of memory, it returns **NULL**

## SEE ALSO

**SDL\_ConvertSurface**, **SDL\_DisplayFormatAlpha** **SDL\_SetAlpha**, **SDL\_SetColorKey**, **SDL\_Surface**