---
name: "SDL_GetKeyName"
section: "3"
platform: "linux"
package: "libsdl3-doc"
version: "3.2.10+ds-1"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/SDL_GetKeyName"
---

# SDL\_GetKeyName(3)

Get a human-readable name for a key.

## NAME

SDL\_GetKeyName - Get a human-readable name for a key.

## HEADER FILE

Defined in SDL3/SDL\_keyboard.h

## SYNOPSIS

```
#include "SDL3/SDL.h"
```

**const char \* SDL\_GetKeyName(SDL\_Keycode key);**

## DESCRIPTION

If the key doesn't have a name, this function returns an empty string ("").

Letters will be presented in their uppercase form, if applicable.

## FUNCTION PARAMETERS

- *key*

  the desired  **SDL\_Keycode**\
    to query.

## RETURN VALUE

Returns a UTF-8 encoded string of the key name.

## THREAD SAFETY

This function is not thread safe.

## AVAILABILITY

This function is available since SDL 3.2.0.

## SEE ALSO

**•**(3), [**SDL\_GetKeyFromName**(3)](/SDL_GetKeyFromName/3.md), **•**(3), [**SDL\_GetKeyFromScancode**(3)](/SDL_GetKeyFromScancode/3.md), **•**(3), [**SDL\_GetScancodeFromKey**(3)](/SDL_GetScancodeFromKey/3.md)